Zinc oxide ceramics and method for producing the same

ABSTRACT

Zinc oxide ceramics and a method for producing the same are provided wherein zinc oxide varistors for low and high voltages having excellent electric characteristics and high reliability upon DC loading and surge can be obtained in high yield by low-temperature sintering. 0.2 to 20 parts by weight of a mixed powder of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide is treated in advance at a temperature of 850° C. or less. The synthetic powder thus obtained is added to 100 parts by weight of ZnO material powder to produce ceramics. By using the ceramics for a zinc oxide varistor, a zinc oxide varistor for a low or high voltage can be produced in high yield, which can be sintered at a low temperature and is excellent in electric characteristics and reliability upon DC loading and surge. Aluminum is sprayed on both sides of a sintered body so that an aluminum layer is formed. Copper is sprayed on the aluminum layer so that an electrode is formed. A lead wire is bonded to the electrode. Then, portions of the molded bodies other than the lead wire are coated and insulated so that the zinc oxide varistor can be obtained.

This application is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 08/610,837,filed Mar. 5, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,113 which application(s) areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to zinc oxide ceramics and a method forproducing the same, and more particularly to zinc oxide ceramics and amethod for producing the same for fabricating a zinc oxide varistor tobe used for surge absorption in an electric circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A zinc oxide (ZnO) varistor is produced by using zinc oxide ceramics (asintered body) which are obtained by burning zinc oxide material powderthat contains zinc oxide, bismuth oxide (Bi₂ O₃), manganese oxide (MnO₂)and cobalt oxide (CoO) as basic additives, and various oxides to beadded for performance enhancement. It has been known that the thresholdvoltage of the zinc oxide varistor is almost proportional to the numberof grain boundaries which are present between electrodes. Morespecifically, the threshold voltage rises by 3V to 4V per grainboundary. Accordingly, it is necessary to produce a sintered body havingZnO particles whose average particle size is about 4 to 40 μm in orderto fabricate the zinc oxide varistor for a high voltage. It is necessaryto produce a sintered body having ZnO particles whose particle size isabout 40 to 200 μm for easy handling in order to produce a zinc oxidevaristor for a low voltage. In order to produce the zinc oxide varistorfor a high voltage, a method of adding a growth inhibitor such asantimony oxide (Sb₂ O₃) to inhibit the growth of ZnO particles hasconventionally been used. In order to produce the zinc oxide varistorfor a low voltage, a method of adding a growth promotor such as titaniumoxide (TiO₂) to promote the growth of the ZnO particles has been used.

However, a sintering temperature of 1150 to 1300° C. is required toobtain a high-performance zinc oxide varistor for high and low voltages.The high sintering temperature causes power to be consumed, bismuthoxide to be strongly scattered, and a furnace material or container tobe wasted due to the strong scattering of bismuth oxide. Consequently,it has been desired to decrease the burning temperature. If burning isperformed at a high temperature, the bismuth oxide or the likeevaporates actively in the air. In addition, the bismuth oxide easilyreacts with many materials, and readily erodes a lot of materials suchas ceramics, for example, a furnace material, a container and the like.If the burning temperature is decreased by the blending of the zincoxide varistor according to the prior art, the threshold voltage israpidly increased so that the irregularity of a ZnO particle size iscaused. Consequently, the non-linear resistance characteristic isdegraded. Further, the life for power loading, pulse current loading orthe like is shortened.

According to the method according to the prior art, bismuth oxide,titanium oxide, antimony oxide, chromium oxide (Cr₂ O₃) and boron oxide(B₂ O₃) are individually added to zinc oxide material powder. Therefore,there are a portion of the titanium oxide which reacts with zinc oxide,a portion of bismuth oxide which reacts with titanium oxide, a portionof antimony oxide which reacts with zinc oxide, a portion of bismuthoxide which reacts with antimony oxide, and the like. The boron oxidetends to form a liquid phase and coalesce at the early stage of thetemperature increase so that irregularity is easily caused. As a result,the sintered body has a portion in which grain growth is not promotedand a portion in which the grain growth is promoted. In the methodaccording to the prior art, thus, it is difficult to produce a sinteredbody having a regular particle size.

Furthermore, it is hard to fully control the abnormal grain growth ofZnO. Therefore, there is a problem that the electric characteristics andreliability of zinc oxide varistors obtained from a given producing lot(batch) have great variation (which occurs within the lot). Inaddition,there is a problem that the electric characteristics andreliability of zinc oxide varistors obtained from different producinglots have great variation (which occurs between the lots).

As described above, it is impossible to stably produce a zinc oxidevaristor having excellent electric characteristics and reliability withlow-temperature sintering by the method using the ceramics according tothe prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide zinc oxide ceramicsfor producing, in high yield, zinc oxide varistors having reliabilityand electric characteristics such as non-linear resistancecharacteristics with low-temperature sintering.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the above object, a first zinc oxide ceramic of thepresent invention is produced by adding 0.2 to 20 parts by weight of asynthetic powder, which is prepared by heat treating a mixed powder ofat least bismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide, and 0.1 to5.0 parts by weight of at least one of cobalt oxide and manganese oxide,to 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide as a main component. The syntheticpowder means the powder prepared by heat treating and grinding the mixedpowder of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide.

It is preferred that the mixed powder is prepared by bismuth oxide,titanium oxide, antimony oxide and boron oxide, and that the syntheticpowder is prepared by heat treating the mixed powder.

It is preferred that the mixed powder is prepared from bismuth oxide,titanium oxide, antimony oxide and chromium oxide, and that thesynthetic powder is prepared by heat treating the mixed powder.

Preferably, the amount of a bismuth component to be added is 0.3 to 10.0parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Bi₂ O₃conversion.

Preferably, the amount of a titanium component to be added is 0.1 to 5.0parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by TiO₂conversion.

Preferably, the amount of an antimony component to be added is 0.02 to2.5 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Sb₂ O₃conversion.

It is preferred that the boron oxide is at least one of boric acid andboron trioxide.

Preferably, the synthetic powder is added to a powder material havingzinc oxide as the main component and which contains 0.00062 to 0.372part by weight of an aluminum component for 100 parts by weight of zincoxide by Al₂ O₃ conversion.

Preferably, a synthetic powder prepared by heat treating a mixture ofbismuth oxide and boron oxide is added to a synthetic powder prepared byheat treating a mixed powder of at least bismuth oxide, titanium oxideand antimony oxide.

Preferably, a synthetic powder prepared by heat treating a mixture ofbismuth oxide and chromium oxide is added to a synthetic powder preparedby heat treating a mixed powder of at least bismuth oxide, titaniumoxide and antimony oxide.

Preferably, a synthetic powder prepared by heat treating a mixture ofbismuth oxide and chromium oxide and a synthetic powder prepared by heattreating the mixture of bismuth oxide and boron oxide are added to asynthetic powder prepared by heat treating a mixed powder of at leasttitanium oxide and antimony oxide.

A second zinc oxide ceramic of the present invention is produced byadding 0.5 to 20.0 parts by weight of a synthetic powder which isprepared by heat treating and grinding a mixture of bismuth oxide,titanium oxide, antimony oxide, chromium oxide and boron oxide, and 0.1to 5.0 parts by weight of at least one of cobalt oxide and manganeseoxide to 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide powder.

It is preferred that the average particle size of the synthetic powderis 0.05 to 10 μm.

It is preferred that the manganese oxide is at least one of MnO, Mn₂ O₃4 and MnO₂.

It is preferred that the cobalt oxide is at least one of CoO and Co₃ O₄.

Preferably, the amount of a bismuth component to be added is 0.3 to 18.0parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Bi₂ O₃conversion.

It is preferred that the amount of a titanium component to be added is0.03 to 2.00 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide byTiO₂ conversion.

Preferably, the amount of an antimony component to be added is 0.005 to1.000 part by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Sb₂ O₃conversion.

Preferably, the amount of a chromium component to be added is 0.005 to0.500 part by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Cr₂ O₃conversion.

It is preferred that the amount of a boron component to be added is0.002 to 1.000 part by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide byB₂ O₃ conversion.

It is preferred that the boron oxide is at least one of boron oxide andboric acid.

It is preferred that 0.00062 to 0.37200 part by weight of an aluminumcomponent is added for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Al₂ O₃conversion.

A first method for producing zinc oxide ceramics according to thepresent invention comprises the steps of adding 0.2 to 20 parts byweight of a synthetic powder prepared by heat treating a mixed powder ofat least bismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide, and 0.1 to5.0 parts by weight of at least one of cobalt oxide and manganese oxideto 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide, and performing sintering.

Preferably, the step of preparing synthetic powder comprises a step ofheat treating a mixed powder of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide, antimonyoxide and boron oxide.

Preferably, the step of preparing synthetic powder comprises a step ofadding boric acid, the boric acid and bismuth oxide being blended intofine particles and heat treated.

It is preferred that the step of preparing synthetic powder comprisesthe steps of adding boron oxide, the boron oxide and bismuth oxide beingblended into fine particles and heat treated.

Preferably, the step of preparing synthetic powder comprises steps ofadding boric acid, heat treating and grinding a blended powder ofbismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide, and heat treating andgrinding a blended powder of bismuth oxide and boric acid, and the stepof adding the synthetic powder to zinc oxide comprises a step of addingthe two kinds of powder which are prepared.

Preferably, the step of preparing synthetic powder comprises steps ofadding boron oxide, heat treating and grinding a blended powder ofbismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide, and heat treating andgrinding a blended powder of bismuth oxide and boron oxide, and the stepof adding the synthetic powder to zinc oxide comprises a step of addingthe two kinds of synthetic powder which are prepared.

It is preferred that the step of preparing synthetic powder comprises astep of heat treating a blended powder of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide,antimony oxide and chromium oxide.

Preferably, the step of preparing synthetic powder comprises steps ofadding chromium oxide, heat treating and grinding a blended powder ofbismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide, and heat treating andgrinding a blended powder of bismuth oxide and chromium oxide, and thestep of adding the synthetic powder zinc oxide comprises a step ofadding the two kinds of synthetic powder which are prepared.

It is preferred that the method further comprises a step of adding analuminum component after the step of adding the synthetic powder to zincoxide.

Preferably, an elongated high-density defect is formed in the micron orsubmicron range in parallel with the c face of zinc oxide crystallineparticles of a zinc oxide polycrystalline substance in crystallineparticles, and bismuth, titanium and antimony components which aresintered at a low temperature are contained in the defect.

A second method for producing zinc oxide ceramics comprises the steps of

A. heat treating and grinding a composition which contains bismuthoxide, titanium oxide, antimony oxide, chromium oxide and boron oxide toprepare a synthetic powder;

B. adding the synthetic powder to a powder material which contains zincoxide as a first component and at least one of cobalt oxide andmanganese oxide as a second component to prepare the blended powder; and

C. performing sintering.

According to the above method, the second zinc oxide ceramics areobtained. The synthetic powder contains at least bismuth oxide, titaniumoxide and antimony oxide which are treated by heat and ground. CoO orCo₃ O₄ can be used for cobalt oxide. MnO, Mn₂ O₃, or MnO₂ can be usedfor manganese oxide. Manganese carbonate (MnCo₃) which is changed tomanganese oxide by thermal decomposition at a high temperature is alsosuitable. Boron trioxide or boric acid can be used for boron oxide. Itis preferred that the average particle size of the synthetic powderranges from 0.05 to 10 μm. In the step of grinding the synthetic powder,the third composition may be ground independently so as to be mixed withthe first and second synthetic powder which are ground. In addition, thepowders which are treated by heat may be ground together at the sametime.

Preferably, the method for preparing synthetic powder comprises, inplace of the step A, steps of heat treating a first composition whichcontains bismuth oxide, titanium oxide, antimony oxide and boron oxideto prepare a first synthetic powder, heat treating a second compositionwhich contains bismuth oxide and chromium oxide to prepare a secondsynthetic powder, and grinding the first and second synthetic powders.

Preferably, the method for preparing synthetic powder comprises, inplace of the step A, steps of heat treating a first composition whichcontains bismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide to prepare afirst synthetic powder, heat treating a second composition whichcontains bismuth oxide, chromium oxide and boron oxide to prepare asecond synthetic powder, and grinding the first and second syntheticpowders.

Preferably, a third composition which contains bismuth oxide and boronoxide is heat treated and ground to prepare a third synthetic powder,and the first to third synthetic powders are mixed and added to thepowder material so that the blended powder is adjusted.

Preferably, the method for producing zinc oxide ceramics furthercomprises a step of adding 0.00062 to 0.37200 part by weight of analuminum component for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Al₂ O₃conversion.

It is preferred that the second composition contains 1 part by mol ormore of chromium oxide for 1 part by mol of bismuth oxide.

It is preferred that the molar ratio of bismuth oxide to boron oxide ofthe third composition is 80:20 to 20:80.

It is preferred that the boron oxide is at least one of boron trioxideand boric acid.

Preferably, the heat treating temperature is 450 to 800° C.

Preferably, the heat treating time is 10 mins. to 10 hrs.

Preferably, the step of forming the blended powder comprises a step ofadding the synthetic powder to the powder material and then grinding theblended powder.

According to the first ceramics and the method for producing the sameaccording to the present invention, the synthetic powder prepared inadvance by heat treating the blended powder of bismuth oxide, titaniumoxide and antimony oxide is used to produce the zinc oxide ceramics sothat the growth of ZnO particles can be promoted uniformly even if theburning temperature is lowered to about 850° C. By using the syntheticpowder having proper compositions, ZnO particles having an averageparticle size which is optionally selected can be obtained within thewide range with a small particle size distribution. More specifically,it is possible to produce a zinc oxide varistor having excellentelectric characteristics and reliability in the high yield. In addition,low-temperature sintering can be performed so that it is possible to useAg electrodes in place of Pt electrodes according to the prior art.

According to the second ceramics and the method for producing the sameof present invention, the use of the synthetic powder prepared bytreating the mixture or a part of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide,antimony oxide, chromium oxide and boron oxide at a temperature of 450to 800° C. provides ZnO particles whose growth can be promoted uniformlyeven if the temperature is lowered to 720 to 1100° C. Accordingly, asintered body having ZnO particles whose average particle size is greatwith a small distribution, and a sintered body of ZnO particles whoseaverage particle size is small with a small distribution, can beobtained depending on composition. Thus, the zinc oxide varistor havingexcellent electric characteristics and reliability can be produced inhigh yield. In addition, low-temperature sintering can be performed sothat it is possible to use Ag electrodes in place of Pt electrodesaccording to the prior art. Furthermore, power consumption can bereduced, and a furnace material and a container are seldom wasted.Consequently, energy and resources can be saved considerably.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a schematically perspective view showing a zinc oxide varistorproduced by zinc oxide ceramics according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to first zinc oxide ceramics according to the presentinvention, 0.2 to 20 parts by weight of synthetic powder, 0.1 to 5.0parts by weight of at least one of cobalt oxide and manganese oxide areadded to 100 parts by weight of a powder material including zinc oxideas a main component. The synthetic powder is prepared by treating themixed powder of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide withheat. Thus, bismuth oxide, titanium oxide, antimony oxide and the likeare added into the zinc oxide based ceramic composition for a ZnOvaristor. Generally, titanium oxide reacts with zinc oxide to form aspinel. Consequently, the effect of promoting the grain growth of zincoxide would not be obtained. However, since titanium oxide reacts withbismuth oxide, the grain growth of zinc oxide is promoted by a reactionproduct. Antimony oxide generally reacts with zinc oxide to form aspinel so that the effect of inhibiting the grain growth of zinc oxidewould be reduced. However, antimony oxide reacts with bismuth oxide sothat the grain growth of zinc oxide is inhibited by the reactionproduct.

The zinc oxide ceramic is obtained in the following manner. Morespecifically, the mixed powder which contains at least bismuth oxide,titanium oxide and antimony oxide is treated with heat so that asynthetic powder is prepared. The synthetic powder is added to zincoxide. Consequently, the grain growth of the zinc oxide varistor can becontrolled even if low-temperature sintering is performed. Thus, it ispossible to obtain zinc oxide having constant electric characteristicsand high reliability and quality.

If 0.2 part by weight or less of the synthetic powder is used, thethreshold voltage of the zinc oxide varistor becomes low. In addition,the threshold voltage is low for long-time DC loading. Further, theabsolute value of the rate of change ΔV_(1mA) /Δ_(1mA) of the thresholdvoltage V_(1mA) for a surge is great. Thus, the results of measurementof any electric characteristic may have a great variation. If the amountof the synthetic powder to be added exceeds 20 parts by weight, samplesstick together so that the zinc oxide varistor is hard to produce.Consequently, the electric characteristics cannot be measured.Preferably, 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of the synthetic powder which isprepared by heat treating the mixed powder of bismuth oxide, titaniumoxide and antimony oxide is added to 100 parts by weight of ZnO powder.

According to the preferred example in which the mixed powder thatcontains bismuth oxide, titanium oxide, antimony oxide and boron oxideis treated with heat to prepare the synthetic powder, the followingeffects can be obtained in addition to the above functions. Morespecifically, the grain growth can be promoted by the operation of boroncomponents, low-temperature sintering can be performed more stably, andthe grain growth of the zinc oxide can be controlled during thelow-temperature sintering so that the zinc oxide varistor havingconstant electric characteristics and high reliability and quality canobtained.

According to the preferred example in which the mixed powder thatcontains bismuth oxide, titanium oxide, antimony oxide and chromiumoxide is heat treated to prepare the synthetic powder, abnormal graingrowth can be controlled by the contained chromium components andcurrent-voltage characteristics can be stabilized so that the zinc oxidevaristor having constant electric characteristics can be obtained.

According to the preferred example in which the amount of bismuthcomponents to be added is 0.3 to 10.0 parts by weight for 100 parts byweight of the zinc oxide by Bi₂ O₃ conversion, the following effects canbe obtained in addition to the above functions. More specifically, theliquid phase sintering of the zinc oxide varistor can be promoted andthe defective density of a grain interface of the zinc oxide can beincreased. If the amount of the bismuth components to be added is lessthan 0.2 part by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Bi₂ O₃conversion, the effects cannot be obtained by the addition of thebismuth components and the threshold voltage of the zinc oxide varistoris low. In addition, the absolute value is great for the rate of changein long-time DC loading and the rate of surge change. Consequently, goodelectric characteristics cannot be obtained. If the amount of Bi₂ O₃ tobe added exceeds 15 parts by weight, the zinc oxide varistor is deformedor fused during sintering so that dimensional precision becomes low andproduction becomes poor. For this reason, it is preferred that theamount of the bismuth components to be added ranges from 0.3 to 10.0parts by weight by Bi₂ O₃.

According to the preferred example in which the amount of titaniumcomponents to be added is 0.1 to 5.0 parts by weight for 100 parts byweight of zinc oxide by TiO₂ conversion, the grain growth of zinc oxidecan be promoted and the zinc oxide varistor suitable for a low voltagecan be obtained in addition to the above functions. If the amount of thetitanium components to be added is less than 0.1 part by weight for 100parts by weight of zinc oxide by TiO₂ conversion, the effects cannotfully be obtained by the addition of the components, the electriccharacteristics of the zinc oxide varistor cannot be improved and theabsolute values of the rate of change in surge and the rate of change inDC loading are great. If the amount of the titanium components to beadded exceeds 7 parts by weight by TiO₂ conversion, the thresholdvoltage of the zinc oxide varistor becomes low. Consequently, it ispreferred that the amount of the titanium components to be added is 0.1to 5.0 parts by weight by TiO₂ conversion.

According to the preferred example in which the amount of antimonycomponents to be added is 0.02 to 2.5 parts by weight for 100 parts byweight of zinc oxide by Sb₂ O₃ conversion, the following effects can beobtained in addition to the above functions. More specifically, thegrain growth of zinc oxide can be adjusted easily and the zinc oxidevaristor suitable for a predetermined voltage can be obtained readily.If the amount of the antimony components to be added is less than 0.02part by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Sb₂ O₃conversion, the effects cannot fully be obtained by the addition of thecomponents, the electric characteristics of the zinc oxide varistorcannot be improved and the absolute values of the change in surge andthe rate of change in DC loading are great. If the amount of theantimony components to be added exceeds 2.5 parts by weight by Sb₂ O₃conversion, the threshold voltage of the zinc oxide varistor can beincreased. Consequently, the electric characteristics have variation.Therefore, it is preferred that the amount of the antimony components tobe added is 0.02 to 2.5 parts by weight by Sb₂ O₃ conversion.

According to the preferred example in which the boron oxide is boricacid, the boron components can be added uniformly and the sintering ofthe entire body can be started. If boron oxide is independently added, aliquid phase is generated at a very low temperature so that additioncannot be performed uniformly.

According to the preferred example in which the boron oxide is boricoxide, the boron components can be added uniformly and low-temperaturesintering can be performed in the same as the foregoing.

According to the preferred example in which the powder material whosemain component is zinc oxide, to which the synthetic powder is added,contains 0.00062 to 0.372 parts by weight of aluminum components byaluminum oxide conversion for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide, thefollowing effects can be obtained in addition to the above functions.More specifically, the aluminum components which are added are melted inZnO particles, and serve as a donor of a semiconductor so that theelectric resistance of ZnO can be lowered. If the amount of the aluminumcomponents to be added is less than 0.00062 part by weight for 100 partsby weight of zinc oxide by aluminum oxide conversion, the electricresistance of the zinc oxide varistor cannot be lowered. If the amountof the aluminum components to be added exceeds 0.372 part by weight for100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by aluminum oxide conversion, theelectric resistance of the zinc oxide varistor is lowered too much andother electric characteristics might become poor.

A first method for producing zinc oxide ceramics according to thepresent invention comprises the steps of heat treating the blendedpowder of at least bismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide toprepare synthetic powder, and of adding the synthetic powder to a powdermaterial whose main component is zinc oxide. According to the presentinvention, the blended powder of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide andantimony oxide is treated by heat at a temperature of 850° C. or less inadvance, and the prepared synthetic powder is added to zinc oxidematerial powder so as to correspond to the required electriccharacteristics so that a sintered body was produced. Consequently, thegrowth of ZnO particles can be promoted uniformly with low-temperaturesintering when producing a zinc oxide varistor. As a result, it ispossible to produce a zinc oxide varistor having constant electriccharacteristics and high reliability by sintering at a 1100° C. or lessas compared with a sintering temperature of 1150 to 1300° C. accordingto the prior art.

According to the preferred example in which the blended powder ofbismuth oxide, titanium oxide, antimony oxide and boron oxide is heattreated so that the synthetic powder is prepared, the following effectscan be obtained in addition to the above functions. More specifically,boron oxide causes additives to diffuse more quickly by forming a liquidphase so that the uniformity of grain boundary characteristics can bepromoted. The uniform quality of the zinc oxide varistor can be obtainedin the low-temperature sintering.

According to the preferred example in which the blended powder ofbismuth oxide and boron oxide is heat treated to prepare syntheticpowder and boron components are added, the synthetic powder whichcontains the boron oxide can be prepared easily and the uniformity ofgrain boundary characteristics can be promoted readily so that the zincoxide varistor can be sintered easily at a low temperature.

According to the preferred example, the blended powder of bismuth oxideand boron oxide is treated by heat to prepare synthetic powder and boroncomponents are added, the following effects can be obtained in additionto the above functions. More specifically, the synthetic powder can beprepared easily, and the uniform quality can be obtained by boron oxidewhen sintering the zinc oxide varistor at a low temperature.

According to the preferred example in which the steps of preparingsynthetic powder comprises the steps of heat treating and grinding theblended powder of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide, andheat treating and grinding the blended powder of bismuth oxide and boronoxide, and the step of adding the synthetic powder to the powdermaterial whose main component is zinc oxide comprises the step of addingthe two kinds of synthetic powder which were prepared, the followingeffects can be obtained similarly to the above functions. Morespecifically, the diffusion of additives can be adjusted by boron, theuniformity of grain boundary characteristics can be promoted, and theuniformity of quality can be enhanced when sintering the zinc oxidevaristor at a low temperature.

According to the preferred example in which the blended powder ofbismuth oxide, titanium oxide, antimony oxide and chromium oxide istreated by heat to prepare the synthetic powder, chromium can be addedin the trivalent state or as toxic chromium (VI).

According to the preferred example in which the step of preparingsynthetic powder comprises the step of heat treating the mixture powderof bismuth oxide, titanium oxide, antimony oxide and chromium oxide,chromium (VI) can be added and toxic chromium (VI) can be prevented frombeing generated.

According to the preferred example in which the step of preparingsynthetic powder comprises the steps of heat treating and grinding themixed powder of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide and ofheat treating and grinding the mixed powder of bismuth oxide andchromium oxide, and the step of adding the synthetic powder to thepowder material whose main component is zinc oxide comprises the step ofadding the two kinds of synthetic powder thus prepared, chromium oxidecan be added more uniformly and the above functions can be obtained moreeasily.

According to the preferred example comprising the steps of addingsynthetic powder to the powder material whose main component is zincoxide and then adding an aluminum component, the added aluminumcomponent is dissolved in ZnO particles without damaging the control ofgrain growth and acts as the donor of a semiconductor so that theelectric resistance of ZnO can be lowered.

According to the preferred example in which an elongated high-densitydefect is formed in the micron or submicron range in parallel with the cface of zinc oxide crystalline particles of a zinc oxide polycrystallinesubstance in the crystalline particles, and bismuth, titanium andantimony components which are sintered at a low temperature arecontained, the fine defects are formed in parallel with the c face ofZnO fine crystals to activate volume diffusion so that the grain growthof zinc oxide can be promoted. In such an example that bismuth oxide,titanium oxide, antimony oxide and the like are added, the volumediffusion can be activated at a low temperature and low-temperaturesintering can be performed. Even if the low-temperature sintering isperformed, a zinc oxide varistor having constant electriccharacteristics and high reliability can be obtained.

The zinc oxide ceramics of the present invention are compressed andmolded. A molded body thus obtained is sintered at a temperature of 850to 1100° C. Then, an electrode is formed on the molded body so that thevaristor is formed.

Accordingly, the synthetic powder prepared by heat treating the mixedpowder of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide in advance ata temperature of 850° C. or less is added to the zinc oxide powdermaterial so as to provide compositions corresponding to requiredelectric characteristics so that the desired sintered body is produced.Consequently, the growth of ZnO particles can be promoted uniformly at alow temperature when sintering. As a result, it is possible to produce azinc oxide varistor having constant electric characteristics and highreliability by sintering at a lower temperature than the temperature of1100° C. or less according to the prior art.

The mixed powder of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide istreated at a temperature of 850° C. or less in an oxidizing atmosphere,i.e., in the air. The reason is that low-temperature sintering ismeaningless if the temperature exceeds 850° C. and grinding is hard toperform. In addition, the grain growth of zinc oxide cannot becontrolled by heat treatment if the temperature is less than 450° C.Accordingly, 450 to 850° C. is preferred in order to obtain the effectsof heat treatment, and 500 to 650° C. is preferred in order to promotethe reaction of heat treatment, obtain the effects of heat treatment andhave no damage.

According to the second zinc oxide ceramics of the present invention,0.5 to 20.0 parts by weight of synthetic powder prepared by heattreating and grinding the mixture of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide,antimony oxide, chromium oxide and boron oxide and 0.1 to 5.0 parts byweight of at least one of cobalt oxide and manganese oxide are added to100 parts by of zinc oxide powder. Consequently, it is possible toproduce the ceramics which can be sintered at a lower temperature thanthe temperature of 1100° C. or less according to the prior art. In thecase of 0.2 part by weight or less of synthetic powder for 100 parts byweight of zinc oxide powder, the threshold voltage of the zinc oxidevaristor is low. Furthermore, the threshold voltage of the zinc oxidevaristor is low for long-time DC loading, and the absolute value of therange of change in threshold voltage is great for surges. In addition,any electric characteristic has great variation. When the syntheticpowder exceeds 20 parts by weight, samples stick together so that it ishard to produce the zinc oxide varistor. In order to obtain a sinteredbody having a uniform particle size, it is preferred that the averageparticle size of the synthetic powder ranges from 0.05 to 10 μm.Preferably, the average particle size of the powder material whichcontains zinc oxide powder and the like is 0.05 to 5.0 μm.

When the composition ratio of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide, antimonyoxide, chromium oxide and boron oxide is changed, sintered bodies havinga uniformly great particle size, having a uniformly small particle sizeand having great and small particle sizes can be obtained. In thisrespect, the preferable range of each component to be added is asfollows. The amount of a bismuth component is 0.3 to 18.0 parts byweight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Bi₂ O₃ conversion. Theamount of a titanium component is 0.03 to 2.00 parts by weight for 100parts by weight of zinc oxide by TiO₂ conversion. The amount of anantimony component is 0.005 to 1.000 part by weight for 100 parts byweight of zinc oxide by Sb₂ O₃ conversion. The amount of a chromiumcomponent is 0.005 to 0.500 part by weight for 100 parts by weight ofzinc oxide by Cr₂ O₃ conversion. The amount of a boron component is0.002 to 1.000 part by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide byB₂ O₃ conversion. When the synthetic powder is 100, the compositionratio of each component which can be used is expressed by mol % asfollows. Bi₂ O₃ :20 to 99 mol %, TiO₂ :0.05 to 80 mol %, Sb₂ O₃ :0.5 to50 mol %, Cr₂ O₃ ; 1.0 to 20 mol %, B₂ O₃ :1.0 to 20 mol %.

According to the preferred example in which 0.00062 to 0.37200 part byweight of an aluminum component is added to 100 parts by weight of zincoxide powder by Al₂ O₃ conversion, the added aluminum component isdissolved in ZnO particles and acts as the donor of a semiconductor.Consequently, the electric resistance of ZnO can be lowered withoutdamaging other electric characteristics.

According to the method for producing second zinc oxide ceramics of thepresent invention, the synthetic powder is prepared by heat treating andgrinding compositions which contain bismuth oxide, titanium oxide,antimony oxide, chromium oxide and boron oxide, and is added to thepowder material which contains zinc oxide as a first component and atleast one of cobalt oxide and manganese oxide as a second component sothat the blended powder is prepared. Consequently, the growth of ZnOparticles can be promoted uniformly at a low temperature. In addition, asintered body having a uniform particle size can be produced.

A first composition which contains bismuth oxide, titanium oxide,antimony oxide and boron oxide is treated by heat to prepare a firstsynthetic powder, and a second composition which contains bismuth oxideand chromium oxide is treated by heat to prepare a second syntheticpowder. The first and second synthetic powders are ground and then addedto a powder material which contains zinc oxide as a first component andat least one of cobalt oxide and manganese oxide as a second component,so that the blended powder is adjusted. Consequently, the growth of ZnOparticles can be promoted uniformly at a low temperature and a sinteredbody having a uniform particle size can be produced.

A first composition which contains bismuth oxide, titanium oxide andantimony oxide is heat treated to prepare a first synthetic powder, anda second composition which contains bismuth oxide, chromium oxide andboron oxide is heat treated to prepare a second synthetic powder. Thefirst and second synthetic powders are ground and then added to materialpowder which contains zinc oxide as a first component and at least oneof cobalt oxide and manganese oxide as a second component, so that theblended powder is adjusted. Consequently, the growth of ZnO particlescan be promoted uniformly at a low temperature and a sintered bodyhaving a uniform particle size can be produced.

According to the preferred example of the present invention in which athird composition which contains bismuth oxide and boron oxide is heattreated and ground to prepare a third synthetic powder, and the firstand third synthetic powders are mixed and added to the powder materialto adjust the blended powder, the growth of ZnO particles can bepromoted uniformly at a low temperature and a sintered body having auniform particle size can be produced. If the heat treating temperatureis less than 450° C., it is hard to control the grain growth of zincoxide. If the heat treating temperature exceeds 800° C., grinding ishard to perform.

According to the preferred example of the present invention in which thestep of adjusting the blended powder comprises the step of adding0.00062 to 0.37200 part by weight of an aluminum component to 100 partsby weight of zinc oxide in the powder material by Al₂ O₃ conversion, thealuminum component is dissolved in ZnO particles and acts as the donorof a semiconductor. Consequently, the electric resistance of ZnO can belowered without damaging other electric characteristics.

According to the preferred example of the present invention in which thesecond composition contains 1 part by mol or more of chromium oxide for1 part by mol of bismuth oxide, it is possible to prevent the generationof toxic chromium (VI) that may be easily caused by the synthesis inwhich the amount of Bi₂ O₃ is greater than that of Cr₂ O₃. If the secondcomposition contains only bismuth oxide and chromium oxide, thepreferable molar ratio is 25:75 to 50:50.

According to the preferred example of the present invention in which themolar ratio of bismuth oxide to boron oxide as a third composition is80:20 to 20:80, the sintering temperature can be lowered while providinga uniform particle size.

According to the preferred example of the present invention in which thestep of adjusting the blended powder comprises the step of addingsynthetic powder to the powder material and then grinding the blendedpowder, a sintered body having a uniform particle size can be produced.

The second zinc oxide ceramics according to the present invention arecompressed and molded to a predetermined shape. A molded body thusobtained is sintered at a temperature of 720 to 1100° C. so that asintered body can be obtained. By using the sintered body, a zinc oxidevaristor having excellent reliability and electric characteristics suchas nonlinear resistance properties are obtained in high yield.

While MgO and NiO are added in the method according to the prior art,these additives which are dissolved in ZnO can be added to obtain avaristor having good characteristics.

EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the tables and drawings.

EXAMPLE 1

Bismuth oxide (Bi₂ O₃) powder, titanium oxide (TiO₂) powder, andantimony oxide (Sb₂ O₃) (whose particles pass through 200-, 325- and200-mesh screens respectively) were blended at a weight ratio of88:10:2. The blended powder was heated at a temperature of 600° C. for 5hrs. in the air, and then ground fine for 12 to 18 hrs. by means ofstabilizing zirconia balls in a monomalon pot. Consequently, a syntheticpower (whose particles pass through the 325-mesh screen) was obtained.The synthetic powder which is prepared from bismuth oxide, titaniumoxide and antimony oxide is called bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimonyoxide synthetic powder. It is not very difficult to grind the blendedpowder which has been heat treated at the temperature of 600° C. inorder to obtain the synthetic powder in a manner similar to the processof grinding each powder.

Zinc oxide powder (the average particle size of 0.3 μm), bismuthoxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide synthetic powder, cobalt oxide (CoO)powder (whose particles pass through a 325-mesh screen), manganese oxide(MnO₂) powder (whose particles pass through a 200-mesh screen) wereblended at a weight ratio of 100:0.2 to 20.0:0.954:0.414 while changingthe amount of the bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide syntheticpowder. The blended powder was mixed for 12 to 18 hrs. and ground so asto pass through the 325-mesh screen by the wet method (with stabilizingzirconia balls in the monomalon pot).

The ground powder was dried, and compressed and molded into a disk. Thetemperature of the molded product thus obtained is raised at a rate of50° C./hr in the air, held for 13 hrs. at a temperature of 950° C. andcooled at a temperature of 50° C./hr. Consequently, a sintered productwas obtained. The sintered product had a thickness of 1.2 mm and adiameter of 14 mm. A zinc oxide varistor shown in FIG. 1 was preparedfrom the zinc oxide ceramics. More specifically, aluminum is sprayed onthe both sides of a sintered product 11 to form an aluminum layer (notshown). Then, copper was sprayed on the aluminum layer to form anelectrode 12. A lead wire 13 was bonded to the electrode 12 by a solder.Then, the portions of the molded product other than the lead wire 13 arecoated and insulated. Consequently, a zinc oxide varistor was obtained.

The electric characteristics of the zinc oxide varistor thus obtainedare evaluated. As initial electric characteristics, V_(1mA) /mm (avoltage/1 mm thickness between terminals obtained when a current of 1 mAflows) and a nonlinear resistance index ₀.1mA α_(1mA) (a value obtainedby V_(1mA) and V₀.1mA) were measured.

The reliability for long-time DC loading was evaluated in the followingmanner. More specifically, DC loading of 0.2 W was applied for 500 hrs.in the high-temperature atmosphere of 80° C. and the rate of changeΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) in varistor threshold voltage V_(1mA) (the rate ofchange in DC loading) was measured. Further, the reliability for surgewas evaluated. More specifically, a pulse of 8×20 μsec, 0.5 kA wasapplied twice and the rate of change ΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) in the varistorthreshold voltage V_(1mA) (the rate of change in surge) was obtained.

Table 1 shows the composition of samples used for manufacturing avaristor, and Table 2 shows the results of the evaluation of electriccharacteristics corresponding to the composition shown in Table 1. Thevalues indicative of the results of evaluation of the electriccharacteristics are maximum and minimum values within several lots.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                               ZnO      Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                                              CoO    MnO.sub.2                               Sample (part by Synthetic powder (*)                                                                         (part by                                                                             (part by                                No.    weight)  (part by weight)                                                                             weight)                                                                              weight)                                 ______________________________________                                        101    100.0    0.2            0.954  0.414                                   102    100.0    0.5            0.954  0.414                                   103    100.0    0.7            0.954  0.414                                   104    100.0    1.0            0.954  0.414                                   105    100.0    2.0            0.954  0.414                                   106    100.0    5.0            0.954  0.414                                   107    100.0    10.0           0.954  0.414                                   108    100.0    15.0           0.954  0.414                                   109    100.0    20.0           0.954  0.414                                   ______________________________________                                         (*) Heat treatment of Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :TiO.sub.2 :Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 =         88:10:2 (weight ratio)                                                   

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        101    5˜12                                                                            10˜14                                                                             -25˜-15                                                                           -35˜-30                              102   21˜25                                                                            15˜24                                                                             -4˜-2                                                                             -4˜-1                                103   22˜26                                                                            30˜33                                                                             -1˜+1                                                                             -2˜+1                                104   24˜28                                                                            30˜35                                                                             -1˜+1                                                                             -3˜+1                                105   25˜29                                                                            31˜34                                                                             -1˜0                                                                              -2˜+2                                106   26˜29                                                                            28˜34                                                                             -1˜0                                                                              -2˜+1                                107   25˜27                                                                            29˜35                                                                             -3˜-2                                                                             -1˜+2                                108   26˜29                                                                            30˜34                                                                             -3˜-1                                                                             -2˜+1                                109   --       --        --        --                                         ______________________________________                                    

As is apparent from Tables 1 and 2, the zinc oxide varistor producedfrom the zinc oxide ceramics which were obtained by the method accordingto the present invention had a low threshold voltage and the absolutevalue of the rate of change ΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) of the threshold voltageV_(1mA) was 5% or less for long-time DC loading and surge so that greatreliability could be obtained, except for sample No.101 having 0.2 partby weight of the synthetic powder of bismuth oxide, titanium oxide andantimony oxide. As shown in Table 2, the electric characteristics withinthe lots had small variations.

When the zinc oxide varistor was produced from the ceramics of thisexample, the changes in electric characteristics between lots was small,similarly to the electric characteristics within the lots so thatproduct yield was considerably enhanced, which is not shown in Table 2.When the amount of Bi₂ O₃ -TiO -Sb₂ O₃ synthetic powder to be addedexceeded 20 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of ZnO powder,samples stuck together so that measurement could not be performed(sample No.109). Accordingly, it is preferred that the amount of Bi₂ O₃-TiO₂ -Sb₂ O₃ synthetic powder to be added is 0.5 to 20 parts by weightfor 100 parts by weight of ZnO powder.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

In the same manner as in Example 1, three kinds of zinc oxide varistorsusing a sintered body were produced by the method in which the mixedpowder of bismuth oxide powder, titanium oxide fine powder and antimonyoxide powder is not synthesized according to the prior art.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) powder, bismuth oxide (Bi₂ O₃) powder, titanium oxide(TiO₂) fine powder, antimony oxide (Sb₂ O₃) powder, cobalt oxide (CoO)powder and manganese oxide (MnO₂) powder were blended at a weight ratioof 100:0.88 0.10 0.02:0.954:0.414 (sample No.112), 100:1.76 0.20:0.040.954:0.414 (sample No.112), and 100:4.4:0.5:0.1:0.954:0.414 (sampleNo.113). The blended powder was mixed and ground by the wet method.

In order to evaluate the electric characteristics, the zinc oxidevaristor was produced in the same manner as in Example 1. The groundpowder thus obtained was dried, and compressed and molded into a disk.Similarly to Example 1, the temperature of the molded body was raised ata speed of 50° C./hr in the air. Then, the molded body was held for 13hrs. at a temperature of 950° C. Thereafter, the temperature of themolded body was lowered at a speed of 50° C./hr so that a sintered bodywas obtained. The sintered body had a thickness of 1.2 mm and a diameterof 14 mm.

In the same manner as in Example 1, a zinc oxide varistor was produced.The electric characteristics of the zinc oxide varistor are evaluated.Table 3 shows sample compositions, and Table 4 shows the results ofevaluation of the electric characteristics.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                              ZnO      Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                      TiO.sub.2                                                                            Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    CoO    MnO.sub.2                          Sample                                                                              (part by (part by                                                                              (part by                                                                             (part by                                                                            (part by                                                                             (part by                           No.   weight)  weight) weight)                                                                              weight)                                                                             weight)                                                                              weight)                            ______________________________________                                        111   100.0    0.88    0.10   0.02  0.954  0.414                              112   100.0    1.76    0.20   0.04  0.954  0.414                              113   100.0    4.4     0.50   0.10  0.954  0.414                              ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        111    8˜20                                                                            6˜11                                                                              -25˜-16                                                                           -50˜-40                              112   13˜23                                                                            10˜18                                                                             -22˜-17                                                                           -25˜-16                              113   15˜25                                                                            8˜15                                                                              -28˜-16                                                                           -22˜-14                              ______________________________________                                    

According to the zinc oxide varistor produced by the zinc oxide ceramicsaccording to the prior art as shown in Tables 3, and 4 V_(1mA) wasconsiderably decreased after DC loading of 0.2 W, and the absolute valueof the rate of change in DC loading ΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) was 10% or more.In addition, the absolute value of the rate of change in surge exceeds10% so that reliability was very poor. As shown in Table 4, thevariation within the lots was great.

The variation in electric characteristic between the lots of the zincoxide varistor produced by the ceramics according to the prior art wasgreater than the variation in the lots, which is not shown in Table 4. Alot of varistors had V_(1mA) /_(mm) and α values which are smaller thanvalues shown in Table 4.

In the method according to the prior art, a sintering temperature of950° C. is too low for the production of the zinc oxide varistor. Whenthe conventional ceramics are burnt at a high temperature, for example,1250° C., a varistor having very good characteristics can be obtained.

As apparent from the comparison between Example 1 and ComparativeExample, it was proved that the zinc oxide varistor produced bysintering the zinc oxide ceramics of the present invention at a lowtemperature is superior to the zinc oxide varistor produced by theceramics according to the prior art in initial electric characteristics,reliability, and variations in electric characteristic within andbetween lots.

EXAMPLE 2

The blending and heat treating temperature are changed to produceceramics in the same manner as in Example 1. First of all, bismuth oxide(Bi₂ O₃) powder, titanium oxide (TiO₂) fine powder and antimony oxide(Sb₂ O₃) fine powder were mixed at a weight ratio of 81:9:10. The mixedpowder was heat treated for 5 hrs. at a temperature of 800° C. in theair, and then fine ground so that bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimonyoxide synthetic powder (whose particles pass through a 325-mesh screen)was obtained. If the mixed powder treated by heat at a temperature of800° C. is ground in advance with an automatic mortar, the syntheticpowder can be easily obtained as with the grinding of each powder.

Then, zinc oxide powder, bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxidesynthetic powder, cobalt oxide powder and manganese oxide were blendedat a weight ratio of 100:3.5:0.80:0.40, mixed and ground by the wetmethod. The ground powder was dried, and mixed with an aluminum nitratesolution which contains 0.0013 part by weight of aluminum oxide for 100parts by weight of ZnO by Al₂ O₃ conversion.

In order to evaluate electric characteristics, the sintering temperatureis changed to produce a zinc oxide varistor in the same manner as inExample 1. First of all, zinc oxide ceramics which contain aluminumoxide are compressed and molded into a disk. The temperature of themolded body was raised at a speed of 50° C./hr. Then, the molded bodywas held for 15 hrs. at temperatures of 800° C., 850° C., 900° C., 950°C., 1000° C., 1050° C. 1100° C., and 1150° C. Thereafter, thetemperatures of the molded body were lowered at a speed of 50° C./hr sothat respective sintered bodies were obtained. Each sintered body had athickness of 1.2 mm and a diameter of 14 mm.

Then, the zinc oxide varistor was produced. The electric characteristicsof zinc oxide varistor are evaluated. Table 5 shows sample compositions,and Table 6 shows the results of the evaluation of the electriccharacteristics.

                  TABLE 5                                                         ______________________________________                                              Sinter-         Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --                                           ing             TiO.sub.2 --Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                                  temper- ZnO     Synthetic fine                                                                         CoO   MnO.sub.2                                                                           Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                   Sample                                                                              ature   (part   particles (*)                                                                          (part (part (part                              No.   (° C.)                                                                         by wt)  (part by wt)                                                                           by wt)                                                                              by wt)                                                                              by wt)                             ______________________________________                                        201   800     100.0   3.5      0.80  0.400 0.0013                             202   850     100.0   3.5      0.80  0.400 0.0013                             203   900     100.0   3.5      0.80  0.400 0.0013                             204   950     100.0   3.5      0.80  0.400 0.0013                             205   1000    100.0   3.5      0.80  0.400 0.0013                             206   1050    100.0   3.5      0.80  0.400 0.0013                             207   1100    100.0   3.5      0.80  0.400 0.0013                             208   1150    100.0   3.5      0.80  0.400 0.0013                             ______________________________________                                         (*) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :TiO.sub.2 :Sb.sub.2         O.sub.3 = 81:9:10 (weight ratio)                                         

                  TABLE 6                                                         ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        201   330˜380                                                                          10˜30                                                                             -40˜-30                                                                           -22˜-18                              202   250˜300                                                                          35˜45                                                                             -4˜-1                                                                             -4˜+1                                203   220˜240                                                                          38˜44                                                                             -4˜-1                                                                             -4˜+2                                204   215˜230                                                                          40˜46                                                                             -4˜-2                                                                             -3˜+1                                205   210˜230                                                                          40˜48                                                                             -2˜0                                                                              -3˜+1                                206   205˜220                                                                          40˜50                                                                             -2˜-1                                                                             -2˜+2                                207   200˜215                                                                          40˜50                                                                             -3˜-2                                                                             -2˜+1                                208   190˜205                                                                          40˜50                                                                             -3˜-1                                                                             -4˜+2                                ______________________________________                                    

As a result of sintering at a temperature of 850 to 1150° C. as shown inTables 5 and 6, the zinc oxide varistor produced from the ceramicsaccording to the present invention had a low threshold voltage and theabsolute value of the rate of change ΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) in thresholdvoltage V_(1mA) was 5% or less for long-time DC loading and surge sothat great reliability could be obtained. As shown in Table 6, thevariation of the electric characteristics within lots was small. Thezinc oxide varistor obtained by sintering at a temperature of 1150° C.or more also has excellent characteristics, but is not preferred becausean element body is deformed during sintering or elements stick togetherso that the yield is lowered.

When the zinc oxide varistor was produced by the zinc oxide ceramicsaccording to the present invention, the electric characteristics betweenlots was small similarly to the variation within lots so that the yieldwas considerably enhanced, which is not shown in Table 6.

EXAMPLE 3

The blending and heat treating temperature are changed to produceceramics in the same manner as in Example 1. First of all, bismuth oxidepowder, titanium oxide fine powder and antimony oxide fine powder weremixed at a weight ratio shown in the column of synthetic powder of Table7. The mixed powder was heat treated for 5 hrs. at a temperature of 500°C. in the air, and then fine ground so that bismuth oxide/titaniumoxide/antimony oxide synthetic powder was obtained. If the mixed powderheat treated at a temperature of 500° C. is ground in advance with anautomatic mortar, the synthetic powder can be easily obtained as withthe grinding of each powder.

Then, zinc oxide powder, cobalt oxide powder, manganese oxide powder andbismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide synthetic powder wereblended at a weight ratio shown in Table 7, mixed and ground by the wetmethod. The ground powder was dried, and mixed with an aluminum nitratesolution which contains 0.0013 part by weight of aluminum for 100 partsby weight of zinc oxide by Al₂ O₃ conversion.

In order to evaluate the electric characteristics, zinc oxide ceramicswhich contain aluminum oxide were respectively compressed and moldedinto a disk in the same manner as in Example 1. The temperature of themolded body was raised at a speed of 100° C./hr. in the air. Then, themolded body was held for 2 hrs. at a temperature of 1050° C. Then, thetemperature of the molded body was lowered at a speed of 100° C./hr sothat respective sintered bodies were obtained. Each sintered body had athickness of 1.2 mm and a diameter of 14 mm.

Then, the zinc oxide varistor was produced in the same manner as inExample 1. The electric characteristics of the zinc oxide varistor areevaluated. Table 7 shows sample compositions, and Table 8 shows theresults of the evaluation of the electric characteristics.

                  TABLE 7                                                         ______________________________________                                                Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 + TiO.sub.2 + Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                             ZnO     Synthetic powder                                                                             CoO   MnO.sub.2                                                                           Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                     Sample                                                                              (part by                                                                              (part by weight)                                                                             (part by                                                                            (part by                                                                            (part by                             No.   weight) Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                      TiO.sub.2                                                                          Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    weight)                                                                             weight)                                                                             weight)                          ______________________________________                                        301   100.0   0.2     0.1  0.02  0.50  0.50  0.0013                           302   100.0   0.5     0.1  0.02  0.50  0.50  0.0013                           303   100.0   10.0    1.5  0.3   0.50  0.50  0.0013                           304   100.0   15.0    1.5  0.3   0.3   0.50  0.50                             305   100.0   0.5     0.05 0.02  0.50  0.50  0.0013                           306   100.0   10.0    5.0  1.0   0.50  0.50  0.0013                           307   100.0   10.0    7.0  1.0   0.50  0.50  0.0013                           308   100.0   0.5     0.1  0.01  0.50  0.50  0.0013                           309   100.0   2.5     0.5  2.5   0.50  0.50  0.0013                           310   100.0   2.5     0.5  2.5   0.50  0.50  0.0013                           ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 8                                                         ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        301   15˜21                                                                            11˜16                                                                             -14˜-5                                                                            -28˜-15                              302   23˜26                                                                            18˜23                                                                             -4˜0                                                                              -4˜+1                                303   24˜28                                                                            21˜24                                                                             -3˜+1                                                                             -3˜+1                                304   --       --        --        --                                         305   84˜95                                                                            25˜36                                                                             -22˜-8                                                                            -30˜-18                              306   101˜110                                                                          42˜50                                                                             -4˜+2                                                                             -4˜+2                                307   20˜70                                                                            12˜25                                                                             -17˜-10                                                                           -25˜-5                               308   25˜40                                                                            15˜25                                                                             -11˜-6                                                                            -35˜-20                              309   120˜140                                                                          40˜52                                                                             -3˜+2                                                                             +2˜+4                                310   150˜210                                                                          22˜35                                                                             -12˜-6                                                                            -18˜-10                              ______________________________________                                    

According to the zinc oxide varistor produced from the zinc oxideceramics of the present invention as shown in Tables 7 and 8, when theamount of bismuth oxide contained in Bi₂ O₃ /TiO₂ /Sb₂ O₃ syntheticpowder was 0.5 part by weight or more for 100 parts by weight of zincoxide, α values were great and the absolute value of the rate of changein the threshold voltage V_(1mA) was 5% or less for the long-time DCloading and surge so that good reliability could be obtained.

If the amount of the synthetic powder to be added exceeds 15 parts byweight (sample No.304), the molded bodies are overlapped and burned sothat sintered bodies stick together. Consequently, the production of thevaristor in high quantities cannot be obtained. When the amount oftitanium oxide contained in bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxidesynthetic powder to be added was 0.1 to 5.0 parts by weight for 100parts by weight of zinc oxide, good electric characteristics could beobtained. When the amount of antimony oxide contained in bismuthoxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide synthetic powder to be added was0.02 to 2.5 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide, goodelectric characteristics could be obtained.

EXAMPLE 4

Boron oxide is added to the synthetic powder and the heat treatingtemperature is changed in producing ceramics in the same manner as inExample 1. First of all, bismuth oxide (Bi₂ O₃) powder, titanium oxide(TiO₂) powder, antimony oxide (Sb₂ O₃), and boron oxide (B₂ O₃) (whoseparticles pass through a 200-mesh screen) were blended at a weight ratioof 88:9:2:1. The blended powder was heated at a temperature of 600° C.for 5 hrs, and then ground fine so that synthetic powder was obtained.The synthetic powder which is prepared from bismuth oxide, titaniumoxide and antimony oxide is called bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimonyoxide/boron oxide synthetic powder. If the blended powder which has beentreated by heat at the temperature of 600° C. is ground in advance bymeans of an automatic mortar, it is not very hard to obtain thesynthetic powder in a manner similar to the grinding of each powder.

Zinc oxide powder, bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide/boronoxide synthetic powder, cobalt oxide (CoO) powder, and manganese oxide(MnO₂) powder were blended at a weight ratio of 100:0.2 to20.0:0.954:0.414 while changing the amount of the bismuth oxide/titaniumoxide/antimony oxide/boron oxide synthetic powder. The blended powderwas mixed and ground by the wet method. The ground powder was dried.

In order to evaluate electric characteristics, the zinc oxide varistorshown in FIG. 1 is produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

The ceramics were compressed and molded into a disk. The molded productthus obtained was heated at a speed of 50° C./hr in the air, held for 13hrs. at a temperature of 950° C. and cooled at a speed of 50° C./hr.Consequently, sintered products were obtained. The sintered product hada thickness of 1.2 mm and a diameter of 14 mm. Then, aluminum wassprayed on the both sides of a sintered body 11 to form an aluminumlayer (not shown).

Then, copper was sprayed on the aluminum layer to form an electrode 12.A lead wire 13 was bonded to the electrode 12 by a solder. Then, theportions of the molded bodies other than the lead wire 13 were coated sothat the zinc oxide varistor was obtained.

The electric characteristics and the reliability for DC loading of thezinc oxide varistor thus obtained were evaluated in the same manner asin Example 1.

Table 9 shows sample compositions, and Table 10 shows the results ofevaluation of electric characteristics. The numeric values which showthe results of evaluation of the electric characteristics are minimumand maximum values within lots.

                  TABLE 9                                                         ______________________________________                                                        Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --                                      ZnO      Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 --B.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                           CoO    MnO.sub.2                               Sample (part by Synthetic powder (*)                                                                         (part by                                                                             (part by                                No.    weight)  (part by weight)                                                                             weight)                                                                              weight)                                 ______________________________________                                        121    100.0    0.2            0.954  0.414                                   122    100.0    0.5            0.954  0.414                                   123    100.0    0.7            0.954  0.414                                   124    100.0    1.0            0.954  0.414                                   125    100.0    2.0            0.954  0.414                                   126    100.0    5.0            0.954  0.414                                   127    100.0    10.0           0.954  0.414                                   128    100.0    15.0           0.954  0.414                                   129    100.0    20.0           0.954  0.414                                   ______________________________________                                         (*) Heat treatment of Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :TiO.sub.2 :Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3           :B.sub.2 O.sub.3 = 88:9:2:1 (weight ratio)                               

                  TABLE 10                                                        ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        121    7˜15                                                                             9˜15                                                                             -28˜-18                                                                           -39˜-32                              122   24˜28                                                                            20˜26                                                                             -4˜-1                                                                             -4˜-2                                123   26˜31                                                                            30˜34                                                                             -2˜+2                                                                             -2˜+1                                124   24˜29                                                                            31˜34                                                                             -2˜+1                                                                             -3˜0                                 125   22˜26                                                                            30˜34                                                                             -2˜0                                                                              -1˜+3                                126   23˜26                                                                            32˜35                                                                             -2˜0                                                                              -2˜+2                                127   22˜25                                                                            30˜34                                                                             -3˜-1                                                                             -1˜+2                                128   24˜27                                                                            31˜35                                                                             -2˜-2                                                                             -2˜+2                                129   --       --        --        --                                         ______________________________________                                    

As is apparent from Tables 9 and 10, the zinc oxide varistor producedfrom the zinc oxide ceramics according to the present invention had alow threshold voltage and the absolute value of the rate of changeΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) of the threshold voltage VV_(1mA) was 5% or less forthe long-time DC loading and surge so that great reliability could beobtained, except for sample No.121 having 0.2 part by weight of bismuthoxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide/boron oxide synthetic powder. Asshown in Table 2, the electric characteristics within lots had smallvariations.

When the zinc oxide varistor was produced by the zinc oxide ceramicsaccording to the present invention, the electric characteristics betweenlots had small variation similar to the variation in lots, which is notshown in Table 10. As a result, the yield could be enhancedconsiderably. When the amount of Bi₂ O₃ -TiO₂ -Sb₂ O₃ synthetic powderto be added exceeded 20 parts by weight, samples stuck together so thatmeasurement could not be performed (sample No.109).

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

By using sintered bodies having the same compositions as in Example 4,three kinds of zinc oxide varistors were produced by a method in whichthe synthetic powder of bismuth oxide powder, titanium oxide finepowder, antimony oxide powder and boron oxide is not prepared accordingto the prior art.

Zinc oxide powder, bismuth oxide powder, titanium oxide fine powder,antimony oxide powder, boron oxide, cobalt oxide powder and manganeseoxide powder were blended at a weight ratio of100:0.88:0.09:0.02:0.01:0.954:0.414 (sample No.131),100:1.76:0.18:0.04:0.02:0.954:0.414 (sample No.132), and100:4.4:0.45:0.1:0.05:0.954:0.414 (sample No.133). The blended powderwas mixed and ground by the wet method in the same manner as in Example4 except that the blended powder was not synthesized. The powdermaterial thus obtained was dried.

The powder thus obtained was compressed and molded into a dark. Thetemperature of the molded body was raised at a speed of 50° C./hr in theair. Then, the molded body was held for 13 hrs. at a temperature of 950°C. Thereafter, the temperature of the molded body was lowered at a speedof 50° C./hr so that a sintered body was obtained. The sintered body hada thickness of 1.2 mm and a diameter of 14 mm.

In the same manner as in Example 1, a zinc oxide varistor was produced.The electric characteristics of the zinc oxide varistor are evaluated.Table 11 shows sample compositions, and Table 12 shows the results ofthe evaluation of the electric characteristics.

                  TABLE 11                                                        ______________________________________                                               ZnO    Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                      TiO.sub.2                                                                           Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    B.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    CoO  MnO.sub.2                                (part  (part   (part (part (part                                                                              (part                                                                              (part                             Sample by     by      by    by    by   by   by                                No.    wt)    wt)     wt)   wt)   wt)  wt)  wt)                               ______________________________________                                        131    100.0  0.88    0.09  0.02  0.01 0.954                                                                              0.414                             132    100.0  1.76    0.18  0.04  0.02 0.954                                                                              0.414                             133    100.0  4.4     0.45  0.1   0.05 0.954                                                                              0.414                             ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 12                                                        ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        131    9˜19                                                                            7˜14                                                                              -28˜-19                                                                           -46˜-33                              132   11˜25                                                                            8˜17                                                                              -23˜-19                                                                           -24˜-18                              133   14˜25                                                                            8˜14                                                                              -28˜-18                                                                           -28˜-12                              ______________________________________                                    

According to the zinc oxide varistor produced from the zinc oxideceramics according to the prior art as shown in tables 11 and 12,V_(1mA) was considerably decreased after DC loading of 0.2 W, and theabsolute value of the rate of change in DC loading ΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) was10% or more. In addition, the absolute value of the rate of change insurge exceeded 15% so that reliability was very poor. As shown in Table12, the variation within the lots was great.

The variation between the lots in electric characteristics of the zincoxide varistor produced from the zinc oxide ceramics according to theprior art was greater than the variation within the lots, which is notshown in Table 12. A lot of varistors had V_(1mA) /_(mm) and α valueswhich are smaller than the values shown in Table 12.

In the method according to the prior art, a sintering temperature of950° C. is too low for the production of the zinc oxide varistor. Whenthe conventional ceramics are burnt at a high temperature, for example,1250° C., a varistor having very good characteristics can be obtained.

As is apparent from the comparison between Example 4 and ComparativeExample 2, it was proved that the zinc oxide varistor produced by thezinc oxide ceramics of the present invention with low-temperaturesintering is superior to the zinc oxide varistor produced by the methodfor producing the zinc oxide ceramics according to the prior art ininitial electric characteristics, reliability, and variations inelectric characteristics within and between lots.

EXAMPLE 5

Boron oxide is added for the blending of synthetic powder. In addition,two kinds of synthetic powder are prepared and a heat treatingtemperature is changed to produce ceramics in the same manner as inExample 1. First of all, bismuth oxide powder, titanium oxide andantimony oxide fine powder were blended at a weight ratio of 81:9:10.The blended powder was heat treated for 5 hrs. at a temperature of 550°C. to prepare a first synthetic powder. Further, bismuth oxide fineparticles and boron oxide fine powder were blended at a weight ratio of93:7. The blended powder was heat treated for 5 hrs. at a temperature of550° C. to prepare another kind of synthetic powder. These two kinds ofsynthetic powder were blended at a weight ratio of 10:1 and finelyground so as to pass through a 325-mesh screen. Consequently, bismuthoxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide+bismuth oxide/boron oxide syntheticpowder was obtained. If the blended powder which has been heat treatedat the temperature of 550° C. is ground in advance by means of anautomatic mortar, it is not very hard to obtain the synthetic powder ina manner similar to the grinding of each powder.

Then, zinc oxide powder, bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxidesynthetic powder, bismuth oxide/boron oxide powder, cobalt oxide powderand manganese oxide powder were blended at a weight ratio of100:3.3:0.80:0.40, mixed and ground by the wet method in the same manneras in Example 1. The ground powder was dried, and mixed with an aluminumnitrate solution which contains 0.0013 part by weight of aluminum oxidefor 100 parts by weight of ZnO by Al₂ O₃ conversion.

The zinc oxide ceramics thus obtained were compressed and molded into adisk. The temperature of a molded body was raised at a speed of 50°C./hr in the air. Then, the molded body was held for 15 hrs. attemperatures of 700° C., 750° C., 800° C., 900° C., 1000° C., 1050° C.,1100° C., and 1150° C. Thereafter, the temperatures of the molded bodywere lowered at a speed of 50° C./hr so that respective sintered bodieswere obtained. Each sintered body had a thickness of 1.2 mm and adiameter of 14 mm.

Then, the zinc oxide varistor shown in FIG. 1 was produced. The electriccharacteristics of the zinc oxide varistor were evaluated. Table 13shows sample compositions, and Table 14 shows the results of evaluationof electric characteristics.

                  TABLE 13                                                        ______________________________________                                                  (Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --                                              Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3) +                                                           (Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --B.sub.2 O.sub.3)                                          Synthetic fine                                                                particles                                                                               Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --                                                           TiO.sub.2 --                                                                         Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --                                                    Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                     B.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                        Syn-   Syn-                                                    Sinter-        thetic thetic                                                  ing     ZnO    fine   fine   CoO  MnO.sub.2                                                                           Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                 Sam- temper- (part  particles                                                                            particles                                                                            (part                                                                              (part (part                            ple  ature   by     (part by                                                                             (part by                                                                             by   by    by                               No.  (° C.)                                                                         wt)    wt) (*)                                                                              wt) (**)                                                                             wt)  wt)   wt)                              ______________________________________                                        221  700     100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           222  750     100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           223  800     100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           224  900     100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           225  1000    100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           226  1050    100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           227  1100    100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           228  1150    100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           ______________________________________                                         (*) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :TiO.sub.2 :Sb.sub.2         O.sub.3 = 81:9:10 (weight ratio)                                              (**) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :B.sub.2 O.sub.3 = 93:7     (weight ratio)                                                           

                  TABLE 14                                                        ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        221   310˜370                                                                          12˜28                                                                             -25˜-11                                                                           -27˜-15                              222   280˜330                                                                          35˜46                                                                             -4˜-1                                                                             -3˜+1                                223   260˜280                                                                          37˜43                                                                             -3˜0                                                                              -4˜+1                                224   255˜285                                                                          38˜44                                                                             -4˜-1                                                                             -4˜+2                                225   240˜270                                                                          31˜45                                                                             -3˜0                                                                              -3˜+1                                226   215˜235                                                                          40˜55                                                                             -2˜0                                                                              -3˜0                                 227   210˜225                                                                          45˜50                                                                             -3˜-1                                                                             -2˜+3                                228   195˜210                                                                          45˜58                                                                             -3˜-1                                                                             -3˜+2                                ______________________________________                                    

As a result of sintering at a temperature of 750 to 1150° C. which isshown in Tables 13 and 14, the zinc oxide varistor produced from thezinc oxide ceramics according to the present invention had a lowthreshold voltage and the absolute value of the rate of change ΔV_(1mA)/V_(1mA) in the threshold voltage V_(1mA) was 5% or less for long-timeDC loading and surge so that great reliability could be obtained. Asshown in Table 14, the variation in electric characteristic within lotswas small. The zinc oxide varistor obtained by sintering at atemperature of 1150° C. or more also has excellent characteristics, butis not preferred because an element body is deformed during sintering orelements stick together so that the yield is lowered.

When the zinc oxide varistor was produced from the zinc oxide ceramicsaccording to the present invention, the variation in electriccharacteristic between lots was small similar to the variation inelectric characteristics within lots so that the yield was considerablyenhanced, which is not shown in Table 14.

EXAMPLE 6

The blending is changed to prepare two kinds of synthetic powder, and aheat treating temperature is changed in producing ceramics in the samemanner as in Example 1. First of all, titanium oxide fine powder,bismuth oxide powder and antimony oxide fine powder were mixed at aweight ratio of 81:9:10. The mixed powder was heat treated for 5 hrs. ata temperature of 550° C. Further, bismuth oxide fine particles and boronoxide fine powder were mixed. The mixed powder was heat treated for 5hrs. at a temperature of 550° C. These were blended at a weight ratio of97.5:2.5, 95.0:5.0, 92.5:7.5, 90.0:10.0, 87.5:12.5, 85.0:15.0,82.5:17.5, and 80.0:20.0 and fine ground so that eight kinds of bismuthoxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide+bismuth oxide/boron oxide syntheticpowder are obtained. If the mixed powder treated by heat at atemperature of 550° C. is ground in advance by means of an automaticmortar, the synthetic powder can be easily obtained as in the grindingof each powder.

Then, zinc oxide powder, bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimonyoxide+bismuth oxide/boron oxide synthetic powder, cobalt oxide powderand manganese oxide powder were blended at a weight ratio of100:4.0:0.50:0.50, and mixed and ground by the wet method in the samemanner as in Example 1. The ground powder was dried, and mixed with analuminum nitrate solution which contains 0.0013 part by weight ofaluminum oxide for 100 parts by weight of ZnO by Al₂ O₃ conversion.Consequently, zinc oxide ceramics were obtained.

Similarly to Example 1, the zinc oxide ceramics were compressed andmolded into a disk. The temperature of the molded body was raised at aspeed of 50° C./hr. Then, the molded body was held for 12 hrs. at atemperature of 950° C. Then, the temperature of the molded body waslowered at a speed of 50° C./hr so that respective sintered bodies wereobtained. Each sintered body had a thickness of 1.2 mm and a diameter of14 mm.

Then, the zinc oxide varistor shown in FIG. 1 was produced. The electriccharacteristics of the zinc oxide varistor are evaluated. Table 15 showssample compositions, and Table 16 shows the results of the evaluation ofthe electric characteristics.

                  TABLE 15                                                        ______________________________________                                               (Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3) +                           (Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --B.sub.2 O.sub.3)                                          Synthetic fine                                                                particles                                                                           Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --                                                           Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --                                               Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                          B.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                   Synthetic   Synthetic                                                  ZnO    fine        fine   CoO  MnO.sub.2                                                                           Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                         (part  particles   particles                                                                            (part                                                                              (part (part                              Sample                                                                              by     (part by    (part by                                                                             by   by    by                                 No.   wt)    wt) (*)     wt) (**)                                                                             wt)  wt)   wt)                                ______________________________________                                        321   100.0  3.9 (97.5)  0.1  (2.5)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             322   100.0  3.8 (95.0)  0.2  (5.0)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             323   100.0  3.7 (92.5)  0.3  (7.5)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             324   100.0  3.6 (90.0)  0.4 (10.0)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             325   100.0  3.5 (87.5)  0.5 (12.5)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             326   100.0  3.4 (85.0)  0.6 (15.0)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             327   100.0  3.3 (82.5)  0.7 (17.5)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             328   100.0  3.2 (80.0)  0.8 (20.0)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             ______________________________________                                         (*) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :TiO.sub.2 :Sb.sub.2         O.sub.3 = 89:8:3 (weight ratio)                                               (**) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :B.sub.2 O.sub.3 = 93:7     (weight ratio)                                                           

                  TABLE 16                                                        ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        321   11˜16                                                                            15˜27                                                                             -4˜-2                                                                             -3˜0                                 322   22˜25                                                                            25˜31                                                                             -4˜0                                                                              -3˜+1                                323   24˜30                                                                            25˜30                                                                             -3˜-1                                                                             -3˜+1                                324   36˜42                                                                            35˜40                                                                             -2˜0                                                                              -1˜+2                                325   80˜96                                                                            45˜52                                                                             -1˜+3                                                                             -3˜-1                                326    94˜112                                                                          50˜60                                                                             -4˜-2                                                                             -4˜0                                 327   108˜115                                                                          50˜60                                                                             -17˜-10                                                                           -4˜-1                                328   125˜140                                                                          55˜65                                                                             -11˜-6                                                                            -4˜-2                                ______________________________________                                    

According to the zinc oxide varistor produced from the zinc oxideceramics of the present invention as shown in Tables 15 and 16, awithstand voltage is changed depending on the ratio of bismuthoxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide synthetic powder and bismuthoxide/boron oxide to be added. If the ratio ranges from 90:10 to 12.587.5, a zinc oxide varistor for a low voltage is obtained. If the amountof bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide synthetic powder islarger than that of bismuth oxide/boron oxide, the zinc oxide varistorfor a low voltage is obtained. If the amount of bismuth oxide/boronoxide is greater than 87.5:12.5, a zinc oxide varistor for a highvoltage is obtained. In any case, α values are great and the absolutevalue of the rate of change ΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) in the threshold voltageV_(1mA) is 5% or less for long-time DC loading and surge, so thatexcellent reliability could be obtained.

In particular, two kinds of synthetic powder are obtained to produce thezinc oxide ceramics. Therefore, even if sintering is performed at a lowtemperature of 750° C., the liquid phase reaction can be controlled moreeffectively. Consequently, a zinc oxide varistor having ZnO particlesuniformly grown can be produced.

The ratio of bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide syntheticpowder to bismuth oxide/boron oxide synthetic fine particles are shownin parentheses in the column of synthetic fine particles shown in Table15. Aluminum components are dissolved in ZnO particles and act as thedonor of a semiconductor. Consequently, the electric resistance of ZnOcan be lowered.

In place of boron oxide, boric acid may be used for the syntheticpowder.

EXAMPLE 7

Chromium oxide is added to synthetic powder to produce ceramics in thesame manner as in Example 1. First of all, bismuth oxide (Bi₂ O₃)powder, titanium oxide (TiO₂) powder, antimony oxide (Sb₂ O₃), andchromium oxide (Cr₂ O₃) (whose particles pass through a 325-mesh screen)were mixed at a weight ratio of 88:9:2:1. The mixed powder was heated ata temperature of 600° C. for 5 hrs, and then fine ground so that asynthetic powder (whose particles pass through the 325-mesh screen) wasobtained. The synthetic powder which is prepared from bismuth oxide,titanium oxide, antimony oxide and chromium oxide is called bismuthoxide/titanium oxide/antimonyoxide/chromium oxide synthetic powder. Thesynthetic powder can be ground in advance by means of an antomaticmortar easily.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) powder, bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimonyoxide/chromium oxide synthetic powder, cobalt oxide (CoO) powder, andmanganese oxide (MnO₂) powder were blended at a weight ratio of 100:0.2to 20.0:0.954:0.414 while changing the amount of the bismuthoxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide/chromium oxide synthetic powder. Theblended powder was mixed and ground by the wet method. The ground powderwas dried so that zinc oxide ceramics were obtained.

In order to evaluate the electric characteristics and the reliabilityupon DC loading, the zinc oxide varistor shown in FIG. 1 was produced.

First of all, the ceramics were compressed and molded into a disk. Thetemperature of the molded body was raised at a speed of 50° C./hr in theair, held for 13 hrs. at a temperature of 950° C. and cooled at a speedof 50° C./hr. Consequently, a sintered body was obtained. The sinteredbody had a thickness of 1.2 mm and a diameter of 14 mm. Then, aluminumwas sprayed on the both sides of a sintered body 11 to form an aluminumlayer (not shown). Then, copper was sprayed on the aluminum layer toform an electrode 12 as shown in FIG. 1. A lead wire 13 was bonded tothe electrode 12 by a solder. Then, the portions of the molded bodiesother than the lead wire 13 were coated so that the zinc oxide varistorwas obtained.

The electric characteristics and the reliability upon DC loading of thezinc oxide varistor thus obtained were evaluated in the same manner asin Example 1. Table 17 shows sample compositions, and Table 18 shows theresults of the evaluation of the electric characteristics. The numericvalues which show the results of evaluation of the electriccharacteristics are minimum and maximum values within lots.

                  TABLE 17                                                        ______________________________________                                               ZnO      Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                                              CoO    MnO.sub.2                               Sample (part by Synthetic powder (*)                                                                         (part by                                                                             (part by                                No.    weight)  (part by weight)                                                                             weight)                                                                              weight)                                 ______________________________________                                        141    100.0    0.2            0.954  0.414                                   142    100.0    0.5            0.954  0.414                                   143    100.0    0.7            0.954  0.414                                   144    100.0    1.0            0.954  0.414                                   145    100.0    2.0            0.954  0.414                                   146    100.0    5.0            0.954  0.414                                   147    100.0    10.0           0.954  0.414                                   148    100.0    15.0           0.954  0.414                                   149    100.0    20.0           0.954  0.414                                   ______________________________________                                         (*) Heat treatment of Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :TiO.sub.2 :Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3           :Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 = 88:9:2:1 (weight ratio)                              

                  TABLE 18                                                        ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        141    5˜12                                                                            10˜14                                                                             -25˜-15                                                                           -35˜-30                              142   21˜25                                                                            15˜24                                                                             -4˜-2                                                                             -4˜-1                                143   22˜26                                                                            30˜33                                                                             -1˜+1                                                                             -2˜+1                                144   24˜28                                                                            30˜35                                                                             -1˜+1                                                                             -3˜+1                                145   25˜29                                                                            31˜34                                                                             -1˜0                                                                              -2˜+2                                146   26˜29                                                                            28˜34                                                                             -1˜0                                                                              -2˜+1                                147   25˜27                                                                            29˜35                                                                             -3˜-2                                                                             -1˜+2                                148   26˜29                                                                            30˜34                                                                             -3˜-1                                                                             -2˜+1                                149   --       --        --        --                                         ______________________________________                                    

As is apparent from Tables 17 and 18, the zinc oxide varistor producedby the method according to the present invention had a low thresholdvoltage and the absolute value of the rate of change ΔV₁ /V_(1mA) in thethreshold voltage V_(1mA) was 5% or less for the long-time DC loadingand surge so that great reliability could be obtained, except for sampleNo.141 having 0.2 part by weight of bismuth oxide/titaniumoxide/antimony oxide/chromium oxide synthetic powder. As shown in Table18, the electric characteristics within lots had small variations.

When the zinc oxide varistor was produced by the method according to thepresent invention, the variation in electric characteristic between lotswas small similar to the variation in electric characteristics withinlots so that product yield was considerably enhanced, which is not shownin Table 18. When the amount of bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimonyoxide synthetic powder to be added exceeded 20 parts by weight, samplesstuck together so that measurement could not be performed (sampleNo.149.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3

By using a sintered body having the same compositions as in Example 7,three kinds of zinc oxide varistors were produced by a method in whichthe synthetic powder of bismuth oxide powder, titanium oxide finepowder, antimony oxide powder and chromium oxide powder is not preparedaccording to the prior art.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) powder, bismuth oxide (Bi₂ O₃) powder, titanium oxide(TiO₂) fine powder, antimony oxide (Sb₂ O₃) powder, B₂ O₃, chromiumoxide (Cr₂ O₃) powder, cobalt oxide (CoO) powder and manganese oxide(MnO₂) powder were blended at a weight ratio of100:0.88:0.09:0.02:0.01:0.954:0.414 (sample No.151),100:1.76:0.18:0.04:0.02:0.954:0.414 (sample No.152), and100:4.4:0.45:0.1:0.05:0.954:0.414 (sample No.153). The blended powderwas mixed and ground by the wet method. The mixed powder thus obtainedwas dried, and compressed and molded into a disk. The temperature of themolded body was raised at a speed of 50° C./hr in the air. Then, themolded body was held for 13 hrs. at a temperature of 950° C. Thereafter,the temperature of the molded body was lowered at a speed of 50° C./hrso that a sintered body was obtained. The sintered body had a thicknessof 1.2 mm and a diameter of 14 mm.

In the same manner as in Example 1, a zinc oxide varistor was produced.The electric characteristics of the zinc oxide varistor are evaluated.Table 19 shows sample compositions, and Table 20 shows the results ofthe evaluation of the electric characteristics.

                  TABLE 19                                                        ______________________________________                                              ZnO      Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                      TiO.sub.2                                                                            Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    CoO    MnO.sub.2                          Sample                                                                              (part by (part by                                                                              (part by                                                                             (part by                                                                            (part by                                                                             (part by                           No.   weight)  weight) weight)                                                                              weight)                                                                             weight)                                                                              weight)                            ______________________________________                                        151   100.0    0.88    0.09   0.02  0.954  0.414                              152   100.0    1.76    0.18   0.04  0.954  0.414                              153   100.0    4.4     0.45   0.1   0.954  0.414                              ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 20                                                        ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        151    8˜20                                                                            6˜11                                                                              -25˜-16                                                                           -50˜-40                              152   13˜23                                                                            10˜18                                                                             -22˜-17                                                                           -25˜-16                              153   15˜25                                                                            8˜15                                                                              -28˜-16                                                                           -22˜-14                              ______________________________________                                    

According to the zinc oxide varistor produced by the method according tothe prior art as shown in tables 19 and 20, V_(1mA) was considerablydecreased after DC loading of 0.2 W, and the absolute value of the rateof change in DC loading ΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) was 10% or more. In addition,the absolute value of the rate of change in surge exceeded 10% so thatreliability was rather poor. As shown in Table 20, the variation inelectric characteristics within lots was great.

Referring to the zinc oxide varistor produced by the method according tothe prior art, the variation in the electric characteristics betweenlots was much greater than the variation in electric characteristicswithin lots, which is not shown in Table 20. A lot of varistors hadV_(1mA) /_(mm) and α values which are smaller than the values shown inTable 20.

In the method according to the prior art, a sintering temperature of950° C. is too low for the production of the zinc oxide varistor. Whenburning at a high temperature, for example, 1250° C., a varistor havingvery good characteristics can be obtained by the method according to theprior art.

As apparent from the comparison between Example 4 and ComparativeExample, it was proved that the zinc oxide varistor produced bysintering the zinc oxide ceramics of the present invention is superiorto the zinc oxide varistor produced by the method according to the priorart in initial electric characteristics, reliability, and the variationin electric characteristic in and between lots.

EXAMPLE 8

Chromium oxide is blended and a heat treating temperature was changed inproducing ceramics in the same manner as in Example 1. First of all,titanium oxide fine powder, bismuth oxide fine powder and antimony oxidefine powder were mixed at a weight ratio of 81:9:10. The mixed powderwas heat treated for 5 hrs. at a temperature of 550° C. Further, bismuthoxide fine particles and chromium oxide fine powder (whose particlespass through a 325-mesh screen) were mixed at a weight ratio of 93:7.The mixed powder was treated by heat for 5 hrs. at a temperature of 550°C. These two kinds of synthetic powder were blended at a weight ratio of10:1 and fine ground to obtain bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimonyoxide+bismuth oxide/boron oxide synthetic powder (whose particles passthrough the 325-mesh screen). If the heat treating temperature isincreased, grinding is harder to perform.

Then, zinc oxide powder, bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxidesynthetic powder+bismuth oxide/chromium oxide powder, cobalt oxidepowder and manganese oxide powder were blended at a weight ratio of100:3.3:0.80:0.40, mixed and ground by the wet method. The ground powderwas dried, and mixed with an aluminum nitrate solution which contains0.0013 part by weight of aluminum oxide for 100 parts by weight of ZnOby Al₂ O₃ conversion.

In the same manner as in Example 1, the zinc oxide ceramics werecompressed and molded into a disk. The temperature of the molded bodywas raised at a speed of 50° C./hr in the air. Then, the molded body washeld for 15 hrs. at temperatures of 700° C., 750° C., 800° C., 900° C.,1000° C., 1050° C. 1100° C., and 1150° C. Then, the temperatures of themolded body were lowered at a speed of 50° C./hr so that a sintered bodywas obtained. The sintered body had a thickness of 1.2 mm and a diameterof 14 mm.

In the same manner as in Example 1, a zinc oxide varistor was produced.The electric characteristics of the zinc oxide varistor were evaluatedsimilarly to Example 1. Table 21 shows sample compositions, and Table 22shows the results of the evaluation of the electric characteristics.

                  TABLE 21                                                        ______________________________________                                                  (Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --                                              Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3) +                                                           (Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3)                                         Synthetic fine                                                                particles                                                                               Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --                                                           TiO.sub.2 --                                                                         Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --                                                    Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                     Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                       Syn-   Syn-                                                    Sinter-        thetic thetic                                                  ing     ZnO    fine   fine   CoO  MnO.sub.2                                                                           Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                 Sam- temper- (part  particles                                                                            particles                                                                            (part                                                                              (part (part                            ple  ature   by     (part by                                                                             (part by                                                                             by   by    by                               No.  (° C.)                                                                         wt)    wt) (*)                                                                              wt) (**)                                                                             wt)  wt)   wt)                              ______________________________________                                        241  700     100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           242  750     100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           243  800     100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           244  900     100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           245  1000    100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           246  1050    100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           247  1100    100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           248  1150    100.0  3.0    0.3    0.80 0.400 0.0013                           ______________________________________                                         (*) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :TiO.sub.2 :Sb.sub.2         O.sub.3 = 81:9:10 (weight ratio)                                              (**) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 = 93:     (weight ratio)                                                           

                  TABLE 22                                                        ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        241   330˜380                                                                          10˜30                                                                             -40˜-30                                                                           -22˜-18                              242   250˜300                                                                          35˜45                                                                             -4˜-1                                                                             -4˜+1                                243   220˜240                                                                          38˜44                                                                             -4˜-1                                                                             -4˜+2                                244   215˜230                                                                          40˜46                                                                             -4˜-2                                                                             -3˜+1                                245   210˜230                                                                          40˜48                                                                             -2˜0                                                                              -3˜+1                                246   205˜220                                                                          40˜50                                                                             -2˜-1                                                                             -2˜+2                                247   200˜215                                                                          40˜50                                                                             -3˜-2                                                                             -2˜+1                                248   190˜205                                                                          40˜50                                                                             -3˜-1                                                                             -4˜+2                                ______________________________________                                    

As a result of sintering at a temperature of 750 to 1150° C. which isshown in Tables 21 and 22, the zinc oxide varistor produced by themethod according to the present invention had a low threshold voltageand the absolute value of the rate of change ΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) in thethreshold voltage V_(1mA) was 5% or less for long-time DC loading andsurge so that great reliability could be obtained. As shown in Table 22,the variation in electric characteristics within lots was small. Thezinc oxide varistor obtained by sintering at a temperature of 1150° C.or more also has excellent characteristics, but is not preferred becausean element body is deformed during sintering or elements stick togetherso that the yield is lowered.

When the zinc oxide varistor was produced by the method according to thepresent invention, the variation in the electric characteristics betweenlots was small similar to the variation in electric characteristicswithin lots so that the yield was considerably enhanced, which is notshown in Table 22.

EXAMPLE 9

The blending is changed to prepare two kinds of synthetic powder, and aheat treating temperature is changed in producing ceramics in the samemanner as in Example 1. First of all, titanium oxide fine powder,bismuth oxide powder and antimony oxide fine powder were mixed at aweight ratio of 81:9:10. The mixed powder was treated for 5 hrs. at atemperature of 500° C. Further, bismuth oxide fine particles andchromium oxide fine powder were mixed. The mixed powder was treated for5 hrs. at a temperature of 550° C. These were blended at a weight ratioof 97.5:2.5, 95.0:5.0, 92.5:7.5, 90.0:10.0, 87.5:12.5, 85.0:15.0,82.5:17.5, and 80.0:20.0 and fine ground so that five kinds of bismuthoxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide+bismuth oxide/chromium oxidesynthetic powder (whose particles pass through a 325-mesh screen) areobtained. If the heat treating temperature is increased, grinding isharder to perform.

Then, zinc oxide powder, bismuth oxide/titanium zoxide/antimony oxidesynthetic powder+bismuth oxide/chromium oxide synthetic powder, cobaltoxide powder and manganese oxide powder were blended at a weight ratioof 100:4.0:0.50:0.50, and mixed and ground by the wet method. The groundpowder was dried, and mixed with an aluminum nitrate solution whichcontains 0.0013 part by weight of aluminum oxide for 100 parts by weightof ZnO by Al₂ O₃ conversion.

Similarly to Example 1, the zinc oxide ceramics were compressed andmolded into a disk. The temperature of the molded body was raised at aspeed of 50° C./hr. Then, the molded body was held for 12 hrs. at atemperature of 950° C. Then, the temperature of the molded body waslowered at a speed of 50° C./hr so that a sintered body was obtained.The sintered body had a thickness of 1.2 mm and a diameter of 14 mm.

In the same manner as in Example 1, the zinc oxide varistor wasproduced. The electric characteristics of the zinc oxide varistor thusobtained was evaluated similarly to Example 1. Table 23 shows samplecompositions, and Table 24 shows the results of the evaluation of theelectric characteristics.

                  TABLE 23                                                        ______________________________________                                               (Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3) +                           (Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3)                                         Synthetic fine                                                                particles                                                                           Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --                                                           Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --                                               Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                          Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                  Synthetic   Synthetic                                                  ZnO    fine        fine   CoO  MnO.sub.2                                                                           Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                         (part  particles   particles                                                                            (part                                                                              (part (part                              Sample                                                                              by     (part by    (part by                                                                             by   by    by                                 No.   wt)    wt) (*)     wt) (**)                                                                             wt)  wt)   wt)                                ______________________________________                                        341   100.0  3.9 (97.5)  0.1  (2.5)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             342   100.0  3.8 (95.0)  0.2  (5.0)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             343   100.0  3.7 (92.5)  0.3  (7.5)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             344   100.0  3.6 (90.0)  0.4 (10.0)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             345   100.0  3.5 (87.5)  0.5 (12.5)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             346   100.0  3.4 (85.5)  0.6 (15.0)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             347   100.0  3.3 (82.5)  0.7 (17.5)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             348   100.0  3.2 (80.0)  0.8 (20.0)                                                                           0.50 0.50  0.0013                             ______________________________________                                         (*) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :TiO.sub.2 :Sb.sub.2         O.sub.3 = 88:9:3 (weight ratio)                                               (**) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 = 93:     (weight ratio)                                                           

                  TABLE 24                                                        ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        341   13˜22                                                                            15˜20                                                                             -4˜+1                                                                              -2˜-1                               342   20˜25                                                                            18˜25                                                                             -3˜0                                                                              -4˜0                                 343   22˜26                                                                            20˜24                                                                             -2˜+2                                                                             -3˜0                                 344   30˜38                                                                            25˜35                                                                             -3˜0                                                                               -2˜+1                               345   80˜95                                                                            30˜45                                                                             -4˜-1                                                                             -3˜0                                 346    95˜115                                                                          40˜55                                                                             -3˜-1                                                                             -4˜0                                 347   130˜145                                                                          45˜52                                                                             -2˜+2                                                                             -2˜0                                 348   180˜205                                                                          48˜62                                                                             -2˜+1                                                                             -3˜0                                 ______________________________________                                    

When the ratio of bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide syntheticpowder (A) to bismuth oxide/chromium oxide (B) is greater than 90:10,i.e., (A) is greater than 90, a zinc oxide varistor for a low voltagecan be obtained. The ratio of bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimonyoxide synthetic powder (A) to bismuth oxide/chromium oxide (B) is lessthan 87.5:12.5, i.e., (B) is greater than 12.5, a zinc oxide varistorfor a high voltage can be obtained. In any case, α values are great, andthe absolute value of the rate of change ΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) in thresholdvoltage V_(1mA) is 5% or less for long-time CD loading and surge, sothat excellent reliability can be obtained.

In particular, two kinds of synthetic powder are obtained to produce theZnO ceramics. Therefore, even if sintering is performed at a lowtemperature of 750° C., liquid phase reaction can be controlled moreeffectively. Consequently, a ZnO varistor having ZnO particles which areuniformly grown can be produced.

According to the zinc oxide varistor produced by zinc oxide ceramics ofthe present invention, the synthetic powder having proper compositionsis used so that ZnO particles have the average particle size which isoptionally selected within the wide range at a small particle sizedistribution. More specifically, it is possible to produce the zincoxide varistor having excellent electric characteristics and reliabilityin high yield.

The zinc oxide varistor using the ceramics according to the presentinvention can be sintered at a low temperature of 750° C. so that powerconsumption can be reduced and a furnace material and a container areseldom wasted. Thus, energy and resources can be saved.

According to the above example, the particles of each synthetic powderpass through the 325-mesh screen. Also in the case where the particlesize is greater, i.e., particles pass through a 30-mesh screen, a zincoxide varistor having good characteristics can be obtained.

EXAMPLE 10

Bismuth oxide powder, titanium oxide powder, antimony oxide (whoseparticles pass through 200-, 325- and 200-mesh screens respectively),chromium oxide (whose particles pass through the 325-mesh screen), andboron oxide (whose particles pass through the 200-mesh screen) wereblended at a weight ratio of 88:8.5:2:1:0.5. The blended powder washeated at a temperature of 500° C. for 1 hr. in the air, and then fineground by means of the ball mill with the monomalon pot usingstabilizing zirconia balls. Consequently, a synthetic power (whoseparticles pass through the 325-mesh screen) was obtained. The syntheticpowder which is prepared from bismuth oxide, titanium oxide, antimonyoxide, chromium oxide and boron oxide is called bismuth oxide/titaniumoxide/antimony oxide/chromium oxide/boron oxide synthetic powder.

Zinc oxide powder (having an average particle size of 0.3 μm), bismuthoxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide/chromium oxide/boron oxide syntheticpowder, cobalt oxide powder (whose particles pass through the 325-meshscreen), manganese oxide powder (whose particles pass through the200-mesh screen) were blended a t a weight ratio of 100 0.2 to20.0:0.954:0.414 while changing the amount of bismuth oxide/titaniumoxide/antimony oxide/chromium oxide/boron oxide synthetic powder. Theblended powder was mixed and ground for 12 to 18 hrs. with stabilizingzirconia balls and the monomalon pot so as to pass through the 325-meshscreen. The powder was dried, compressed and molded into a disk. Thetemperature of a molded body thus obtained is raised at a speed of 50°C./hr in the air, held for 2 hrs. at a temperature of 950° C. and cooledat a temperature of 50° C./hr. Consequently, a sintered body wasobtained. The sintered body had a thickness of 1.2 mm and a diameter of14 mm.

As described above, the zinc oxide varistor shown in FIG. 1 wasproduced.

The electric characteristics of the zinc oxide varistor thus obtainedare evaluated. As initial electric characteristics, V_(1mA) /mm (avoltage/1 mm thickness between terminals obtained when a current of 1 mAflows) and a nonlinear resistance index ₀.1mA α_(1mA) (a value obtainedby V_(1mA) and V_(1mA)) were measured. The reliability for DC loadingwas evaluated. DC loading of 0.2 W was applied for 500 hrs. in thehigh-temperature atmosphere of 80° C. and the rate of change ΔV_(1mA)/V_(1mA) in a varistor threshold voltage V_(1mA) (the rate of change ofDC loading) was measured. Further, the reliability for surge wasevaluated. A pulse of 8×20 μsec, 0.5 kA was applied twice and the rateof change ΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) in the varistor threshold voltage V_(1mA)(the rate of change in surge) was determined. Table 25 shows thecomposition of samples, and Table 26 shows the result of the evaluationof the electric characteristics. The values indicative of the results ofthe evaluation of the electric characteristics are maximum and minimumvalues in the lot.

                  TABLE 25                                                        ______________________________________                                                        Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 --                   ZnO      Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 --B.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                           CoO    MnO.sub.2                               Sample (part by Synthetic powder (*)                                                                         (part by                                                                             (part by                                No.    weight)  (part by weight)                                                                             weight)                                                                              weight)                                 ______________________________________                                        401    100.0    0.2            0.954  0.414                                   402    100.0    0.5            0.954  0.414                                   403    100.0    0.7            0.954  0.414                                   404    100.0    1.0            0.954  0.414                                   405    100.0    2.0            0.954  0.414                                   406    100.0    5.0            0.954  0.414                                   407    100.0    10.0           0.954  0.414                                   408    100.0    15.0           0.954  0.414                                   409    100.0    20.0           0.954  0.414                                   ______________________________________                                         (*) Heat treatment of Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :TiO.sub.2 :Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3           :Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 :B.sub.2 O.sub.3 = 88:8.5:2:1:0.5 (weight ratio)       

                  TABLE 26                                                        ______________________________________                                                                 Rate of change                                                                          Rate of change                             Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm       in DC loading                                                                           in surge                                   No.   (V)      .sub.0.1mA α .sub.1mA                                                             Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)           ______________________________________                                        401    5˜10                                                                             9˜15                                                                             -18˜-10                                                                           -40˜-30                              402   18˜22                                                                            16˜25                                                                             -4˜-1                                                                             -3˜0                                 403   19˜23                                                                            30˜34                                                                               0˜+1                                                                            -2˜0                                 404   19˜23                                                                            30˜35                                                                               0˜+2                                                                            -3˜0                                 405   20˜25                                                                            32˜35                                                                             -1˜+1                                                                             -3˜+1                                406   21˜25                                                                            31˜35                                                                             -1˜+1                                                                             -3˜+1                                407   20˜24                                                                            30˜34                                                                             -2˜0                                                                              -2˜+1                                408   21˜25                                                                            32˜34                                                                             -2˜0                                                                              -2˜+2                                409   --       --        --        --                                         ______________________________________                                    

As is apparent from Tables 25 and 26, the zinc oxide varistor using thezinc oxide ceramics according to the present example had a low thresholdvoltage and the absolute value of the rate of change ΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA)in the threshold voltage V_(1mA) was 5% or less for long-time DC loadingand surge so that great reliability could be obtained, except for sampleNo.401 having 0.2 part by weight of the bismuth oxide/titaniumoxide/antimony oxide/chromium oxide/boron oxide synthetic powder. Asshown in Table 26, the electric characteristics within lots had smallvariation.

When the zinc oxide varistor was produced from the ceramics of thepresent example, the variation in electric characteristic between lotswas small similar to the variation in electric characteristic withinlots, which is not shown in Table 26. According to an example usingconventional compositions which has a standard range of ±7% of V_(1mA)and is not treated by heat, a process capability index was changed from1.0 to 1.333. As a result, while the yield of the example usingconventional compositions which is not treated by heat is 90% the yieldis 95% according to the present example. When the amount of Bi₂ O₃ /TiO₃/Sb₂ O₃ synthetic powder to be added exceeded 20 parts by weight,samples stuck together so that measurement could not be performed(sample No.409). Accordingly, it is preferred that the amount of thesynthetic powder to be added is 0.5 to 20 parts by weight to 100 partsby weight of ZnO powder.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4

Three kinds of zinc oxide varistors using a sintered body which has thesame composition as in Example 1 are produced by conventional ceramicsin which the mixed powder of bismuth oxide powder, titanium oxidepowder, antimony oxide powder, chromium oxide powder and boron oxidepowder is not synthesized.

Zinc oxide powder, bismuth oxide powder, titanium oxide powder, antimonyoxide powder, chromium oxide powder, boron oxide powder, cobalt oxidepowder and manganese oxide powder were blended at a weight ratio of100:0.88:0.085:0.02:0.01:0.005:0.954:0.414 (sample No.411),100:1.76:0.17:0.04:0.02:0.010:0.954:0.414 (sample No.412), and100:4.4:0.425:0.1:0.05:0.025:0.954:0.414 (sample No.413). The blendedpowder was mixed and ground by the wet method for 18 hrs. by means of amonomalon pot with stabilizing zirconia balls. In the same manner as inExample 10, a sintered body having a thickness of 1.2 mm and a diameterof 14 mm was obtained so that the zinc oxide varistor was produced.Then, the electric characteristics of the zinc oxide varistor areevaluated. Table 27 shows example compositions, and Table 28 shows theresults of evaluation of the electric characteristics.

                                      TABLE 27                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Sample                                                                            ZnO (part                                                                          Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 (part                                                              TiO.sub.2 (part                                                                    Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 (part                                                              Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 (part                                                              B.sub.2 O.sub.3 (part                                                              CoO (part                                                                          MnO.sub.2 (part                     No. by weight)                                                                         by weight)                                                                          by weight)                                                                         by weight)                                                                          by weight)                                                                          by weight)                                                                         by weight)                                                                         by weight)                          __________________________________________________________________________    411 100.0                                                                              0.88  0.085                                                                              0.02  0.01  0.005                                                                              0.954                                                                              0.414                               412 100.0                                                                              1.76  0.17 0.04  0.02  0.01 0.954                                                                              0.414                               413 100.0                                                                              4.4   0.425                                                                              0.10  0.05  0.025                                                                              0.954                                                                              0.414                               __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 28                                                        ______________________________________                                                                Rate of change                                                                          Rate of                                     Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm                                                                           0.1 mA.sup.α                                                                     in DC loading                                                                           change in surge                             No.   (V)      1 mA     Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA                ______________________________________                                                                          (%)                                         411    6˜18                                                                             8˜14                                                                            -21˜-15                                                                           -50˜-35                               412   10˜21                                                                            12˜18                                                                            -18˜-14                                                                           -28˜-20                               413   12˜20                                                                            12˜20                                                                            -21˜-14                                                                           -25˜-14                               ______________________________________                                    

According to the zinc oxide varistor produced by the ceramics accordingto the prior art as shown in Tables 27 and 28, V_(1mA) was considerablydecreased after DC loading of 0.2 W, and the absolute value of the rateof change in DC loading was 10% or more. The absolute value of the rateof change in surge is 10% or more so that reliability was very poor. Asshown in Table 28, the variation within the lots was great.

The variation in electric characteristic between lots of the zinc oxideaccording to Comparative Example 4 was much greater than the variationin electric characteristic in lots, which is not shown in Table 28. Alot of varistors had V_(1mA) /_(mm) and α values which are smaller thanvalues shown in Table 28. It is proved that a sintering temperature of950° C. is too low to produce the zinc oxide varistor in the methodaccording to the prior art.

As is apparent from the comparison between Example 10 and ComparativeExample 4, the zinc oxide varistor using a low-temperature sintered bodyaccording to the present example is superior to the zinc oxide varistoraccording to the prior art in initial electric characteristics,reliability, and the variation in electric characteristic in and betweenlots.

EXAMPLE 11

Bismuth oxide powder (whose particles pass through a 200-mesh screen),titanium oxide powder (whose particles pass through a 325-mesh screen),and antimony oxide powder (whose particles pass through the 200-meshscreen) were blended at a weight ratio of 81:9:10. The blended powderwas treated at a temperature of 800° C. for 10 mins. in the air.Further, bismuth oxide fine particles (which pass through the 200-meshscreen) and chromium oxide fine powder (whose particles pass through the325-mesh screen) were blended at a weight ratio of 76:24. The blendedmaterial was treated at a temperature of 600° C. for 10 mins. in theair. In addition, bismuth oxide fine particles (which pass through the200-mesh screen) and boron oxide fine powder (whose particles passthrough the 200-mesh screen) were mixed at a weight ratio of 93:7. Then,the blended material was treated at a temperature of 600° C. for 10mins. in the air. These three products were mixed at a ratio of3.0:0.3:0.3, and fine ground by the wet method for 18 hrs. by means of amonomalon pot with stabilizing zirconia balls. Consequently, Bi₂ O₃/TiO₂ /Sb₂ O₃ /Cr₂ O₃ /B₂ O₃) synthetic powder (whose particles passthrough the 200-mesh screen) that consists of [(bismiuth oxide/titaniumoxide/antimony oxide)+(bismuth oxide/chromium oxide)+(bismuthoxide/boron oxide)] was obtained.

Zinc oxide powder (having an average particle size of 0.3 μm), Bi₂ O₃/TiO₂ /Sb₂ O₃ /Cr₂ O₃ /B₂ O₃ synthetic powder, cobalt oxide powder(whose particles pass through the 325-mesh screen) and manganese oxidepowder (whose particles pass through the 200-mesh screen) were blendedat a weight ratio of 100:3.6:0.80:0.40, mixed and ground for 18 hrs. bythe wet method by means of the monomalon pot with stabilizing zirconiaballs. The powder thus obtained was dried and mixed with an aluminumnitrate solution which contains 0.0013 part by weight of aluminum oxideby Al₂ O₃ conversion for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide. Then, amaterial thus obtained was compressed and molded into a disk. Thetemperature of the molded body was raised at a speed of 50° C./hr. Then,the molded body was held for 15 hrs. at temperatures of 700° C., 720°C., 800° C., 900° C., 1000° C., 1050° C. 110° C., and 1150° C. Then, thetemperatures of the molded body were lowered at a speed of 150° C./hr sothat respective sintered bodies were obtained. Each sintered body had athickness of 1.2 mm and a diameter of 14 mm.

In the same manner as Example 10, the zinc oxide varistor was produced.The electric characteristics of the zinc oxide varistor are evaluatedsimilarly to Example 10. Table 29 shows sample compositions, and Table30 shows the results of evaluation of the electric characteristics.

                                      TABLE 29                                    __________________________________________________________________________                   Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Cr.sub.2                    O.sub.3 --B.sub.2 O.sub.3                                      Sintering      Synthetic fine particles (part by weight)                      Sample                                                                            temperature                                                                         ZnO (part                                                                          Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                                         Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                  Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --B.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                   CoO (part                                                                          MnO.sub.2 (part                                                                     Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 (part      No. (° C.)                                                                       by wt)                                                                             (*)       (**)   (***)  by wt)                                                                             by wt)                                                                              by wt)                      __________________________________________________________________________    501  700  100  3.0       0.3    0.3    0.80 0.40  0.0013                      502  720  100  3.0       0.3    0.3    0.80 0.40  0.0013                      503  800  100  3.0       0.3    0.3    0.80 0.40  0.0013                      504  900  100  3.0       0.3    0.3    0.80 0.40  0.0013                      505 1000  100  3.0       0.3    0.3    0.80 0.40  0.0013                      506 1050  100  3.0       0.3    0.3    0.80 0.40  0.0013                      507 1100  100  3.0       0.3    0.3    0.80 0.40  0.0013                      508 1150  100  3.0       0.3    0.3    0.80 0.40  0.0013                      __________________________________________________________________________     (*) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :TiO.sub.2 :Sb.sub.2         O.sub.3 = 81:9:10 (weight ratio)                                              (**) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 =         76:24 (weight ratio)                                                          (***) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :B.sub.2 O.sub.3 = 93:     (weight ratio)                                                           

                  TABLE 30                                                        ______________________________________                                                                Rate of change                                                                          Rate of                                     Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm                                                                           0.1 mA.sup.α                                                                     in DC loading                                                                           change in surge                             No.   (V)      1 mA     Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA                ______________________________________                                                                          (%)                                         501   450˜700                                                                          10˜40                                                                            -40˜-30                                                                           -45˜-10                               502   410˜430                                                                          70˜75                                                                            -4˜-2                                                                             -4˜+1                                 503   320˜350                                                                          60˜65                                                                            -3˜-1                                                                             -4˜0                                  504   220˜230                                                                          55˜60                                                                            -3˜-1                                                                             -3˜0                                  505   205˜220                                                                          55˜60                                                                            -2˜0                                                                              -3˜+1                                 506   200˜220                                                                          54˜58                                                                            -3˜0                                                                              -3˜0                                  507   195˜215                                                                          54˜59                                                                            -3˜-1                                                                             -2˜+1                                 508   190˜210                                                                          55˜59                                                                            -2˜-1                                                                             -3˜+1                                 ______________________________________                                    

As a result of sintering at a temperature of 720 to 1150° C. which isshown in Tables 29 and 30, the zinc oxide varistor produced from theceramics according to the present invention had a high threshold voltageand the absolute value of the rate of change ΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) in thethreshold voltage V_(1mA) was 5% or less for long-time DC loading andsurge so that excellent reliability could be obtained. As shown in Table30, the variation in electric characteristics within lots was small. Thezinc oxide varistor obtained by sintering at a temperature of 1150° C.also has excellent characteristics, but is not preferred because anelement body is deformed during sintering or elements stick together sothat the yield is lowered.

When the zinc oxide varistor was manufactured from the ceramics of thisexample, the variation in electric characteristic between lots was smallsimilar to the variation in electric characteristics within lots, whichis not shown in Table 30. According to a sample using conventionalcompositions which has a standard range ±5% of V_(1mA) and is nottreated by heat, a process capability index was changed from 1.0 to1.33. As a result, while the yield of the example using conventionalcompositions which is not treated by heat is 90%, the yield is increasedto 95% according to the present invention.

EXAMPLE 12

Bismuth oxide powder (whose particles pass through a 200-mesh screen),titanium oxide powder (whose particles pass through a 325-mesh screen),and antimony oxide fine powder (whose particles pass through the200-mesh screen) were blended at a weight ratio of 81:9:10. The blendedpowder was heated at a temperature of 550° C. for 5 hrs. in the air.Further, bismuth oxide fine particles (which pass through the 200-meshscreen) and chromium oxide fine powder (whose particles pass through the200-mesh screen) were blended at a weight ratio of 50:50. The blendedmaterial was treated at a temperature of 500° C. for 1 hr. in the air.In addition, bismuth oxide fine particles (which pass through the200-mesh screen) and boron oxide fine powder (whose particles passthrough the 200-mesh screen) were blended at a weight ratio of 90:10.Then, the blended material was treated at a temperature of 450° C. for 1hr. in the air. These three products were blended at a ratio of4.5:0.4:0.1 (sample No.601), 4.5:0.25 0.25 (sample No.602), 4.5:0.1:0.4(sample No.603), 4.4:0.4:0.2 (sample No.604), 4.4:0.3:0.3 (sampleNo.605), 4.4 0.2:0.4 (sample No.606), 4.3:0.55:0.15 (sample 607), and4.3:0.35:0.35 (sample No.608), and mixed and fine ground by the wetmethod for 18 hrs. by means of the monomalon pot with stabilizingzirconia balls. As a result, Bi₂ O₃ /TiO₂ /Sb₂ O₃ /Cr₂ O₃ /B₂ O₃)synthetic powders (whose particles pass through the 200-mesh screen)that include 8 kinds of [(bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimonyoxide)+(bismuth oxide/chromium oxide)+(bismuth oxide/boron oxide)] areobtained.

Zinc oxide powder (having an average particle size of 0.3 μm), Bi₂ O₃/TiO₂ /Sb₂ O₃ /Cr₂ O₃ /B₂ O₃ synthetic powder which includes (bismuthoxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide synthetic powder)+(bismuthoxide/chromium oxide synthetic powder)+(bismuth oxide/boron oxide),cobalt oxide powder (whose particles pass through the 325-mesh screen),and manganese oxide powder (whose particles pass through the 200-meshscreen) were blended at a weight ratio of 100:5.0:0.50:0.50, mixed andground for 18 hrs. by the wet method by means of the monomalon pot withstabilizing zirconia balls. The powder thus obtained was dried and mixedwith an aluminum nitrate solution which contains 0.0020 part by weightof aluminum oxide by Al₂ O₃ conversion. Then, a material thus obtainedwas compressed and molded into a disk. The temperature of the moldedbody was raised at a speed of 100° C./hr. in the air. Then, the moldedbody was held for 1 hr. at a temperature of 1000° C. Thereafter, thetemperature of the molded body was lowered at a speed of 100° C./hr sothat a sintered body was obtained. The sintered body had a thickness of1.2 mm and a diameter of 14 mm.

In the same manner as Example 10, the zinc oxide varistor was produced.The electric characteristics of the zinc oxide varistor are evaluatedsimilarly to Example 10. Table 31 shows sample compositions, and Table32 shows the results of the evaluation of the electric characteristics.

                                      TABLE 31                                    __________________________________________________________________________             Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Cr.sub.2                    O.sub.3 --B.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                     Synthetic fine particles (part by weight)                            Sample                                                                            ZnO (part                                                                          Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3                                         Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                  Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 --B.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                   CoO (part                                                                          MnO.sub.2 (part                                                                     Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 (part            No. by wt)                                                                             (*)       (**)   (***)  by wt)                                                                             by wt)                                                                              by wt)                            __________________________________________________________________________    601 100  4.5       0.40   0.10   0.50 0.50  0.0020                            602 100  4.5       0.25   0.25   0.50 0.50  0.0020                            603 100  4.5       0.10   0.40   0.50 0.50  0.0020                            604 100  4.4       0.40   0.20   0.50 0.50  0.0020                            605 100  4.4       0.30   0.30   0.50 0.50  0.0020                            606 100  4.4       0.20   0.40   0.50 0.50  0.0020                            607 100  4.3       0.55   0.15   0.50 0.50  0.0020                            608 100  4.3       0.35   0.35   0.50 0.50  0.0020                            __________________________________________________________________________     (*) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :TiO.sub.2 :Sb.sub.2         O.sub.3 = 81:9:10 (weight ratio)                                              (**) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 =         50:50 (weight ratio)                                                          (***) Heat treatment of a mixture Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :B.sub.2 O.sub.3 =         90:10 (weight ratio)                                                     

                  TABLE 32                                                        ______________________________________                                                                Rate of change                                                                          Rate of                                     Sample                                                                              V.sub.1mA/mm                                                                           0.1 mA.sup.α                                                                     in DC loading                                                                           change in surge                             No.   (V)      1 mA     Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA (%)                                                        Δ V.sub.1mA /V.sub.1mA                ______________________________________                                                                          (%)                                         601   15˜21                                                                            11˜16                                                                            -5˜+1                                                                               -5˜-1                               602   23˜26                                                                            18˜23                                                                            -3˜0                                                                              -4˜0                                  603   24˜28                                                                            21˜24                                                                            -2˜+2                                                                             -3˜0                                  604   30˜38                                                                            25˜35                                                                            -3˜0                                                                                -2˜+1                               605   84˜95                                                                            30˜45                                                                            -4˜-1                                                                             -3˜0                                  606   101˜110                                                                          42˜50                                                                            -2˜+2                                                                             -4˜0                                  607   130˜145                                                                          45˜53                                                                            -2˜-1                                                                             -2˜0                                  608   180˜200                                                                          50˜62                                                                            -2˜-1                                                                             -3˜0                                  ______________________________________                                    

As is apparent from Tables 31 and 32, for the zinc oxide varistor usingthe ceramics according to the present example, when the mixing ratio of(bismuth oxide/titanium oxide/antimony oxide), (bismuth oxide/chromiumoxide) and (bismuth oxide/boron oxide) of bismuth oxide/titaniumoxide/antimony oxide/chromium oxide/boron oxide synthetic powder ischanged, a threshold voltage can be changed greatly. More specifically,zinc oxide varistors for low and high voltages can be obtained. In anycase, the α value was great and the absolute value of the rate of changeΔV_(1mA) /V_(1mA) in the threshold voltage V_(1mA) is 5% or less forlong-time DC loading and surge.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from thespirit or essential characteristics thereof.

The embodiments disclosed in this application are to be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of theinvention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A zinc oxide ceramic comprising a sinteredmixture of a first component, a second component and a third componentthat comprises:100 parts by weight of zinc oxide as the first component:0.1 to 5.0 parts by weight of at least one of cobalt oxide and manganeseoxide as the second component; and 0.2 to 20 parts by weight of a powdermixture of the oxides of bismuth, titanium and antimony as the thirdcomponent; wherein the third component is heated at temperatures of 450°C. to 800° C. before a mixture of the first, second and third componentsis formed, and wherein the ceramic is suitable for use with an Agelectrode.
 2. The zinc oxide ceramic according to claim 1, wherein thethird component further comprises at least one selected from boron oxideand boric acid.
 3. The zinc oxide ceramic according to claim 1, whereinthe third component further comprises chromium oxide.
 4. The zinc oxideceramic according to claim 1, wherein the amount of bismuth oxide is 0.3to 10.0 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Bi₂ O₃conversion.
 5. The zinc oxide ceramic according to claim 1, wherein theamount of titanium oxide is 0.1 to 5.0 parts by weight for 100 parts byweight of zinc oxide by TiO₂ conversion.
 6. The zinc oxide ceramicaccording to claim 1, wherein the amount of antimony oxide is 0.02 to2.5 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Sb₂ O₃conversion.
 7. The zinc oxide ceramic according to claim 2, wherein theboron oxide is boron trioxide.
 8. The zinc oxide ceramic according toclaim 1, wherein the first component contains 0.00062 to 0.372 part byweight of an aluminum component for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide byAl₂ O₃ conversion.
 9. The zinc oxide ceramic according to claim 1,wherein the third component comprises a synthetic powder prepared byheat treating a mixture of bismuth oxide and boron oxide that is addedto a synthetic powder prepared by heat-treating a mixed powder of atleast bismuth oxide, titanium oxide and antimony oxide.
 10. The zincoxide ceramic according to claim 1, wherein the third componentcomprises a synthetic powder prepared by heat treating a mixture ofbismuth oxide and chromium oxide that is added to a synthetic powderprepared by heating treating a mixed powder of at least bismuth oxide,titanium oxide and antimony oxide.
 11. The zinc oxide ceramic accordingto claim 1, wherein the third component comprises a synthetic powderprepared by heat treating a mixture of bismuth oxide and chromium oxideand a synthetic powder prepared by heat-treating a mixture of bismuthoxide and boron oxide that are added to a synthetic powder prepared byheat treating a mixed powder of at least titanium oxide and antimonyoxide.
 12. A zinc oxide varistor, comprising a zinc oxide ceramicaccording to claim 1 and an Ag electrode.
 13. A zinc oxide ceramiccomprising a sintered mixture of a first component, a second componentand a third component that comprises:100 parts by weight of zinc oxideas the first component; 0.1 to 5.0 parts by weight of at least one ofcobalt oxide and manganese oxide as the second component; and 0.5 to 20parts by weight of a powder mixture of the oxides of bismuth, titanium,antimony, and chromium, and at least one of boron oxide and boric acid,as the third component; wherein the third component is heated attemperatures of 450° C. to 800° C. before a mixture of the first, secondand third components is formed, and wherein the ceramic is suitable foruse with an Ag electrode.
 14. The zinc oxide ceramic according to claim13, wherein the average particle size of the third component is 0.05 to10 μm.
 15. The zinc oxide ceramic according to claim 13, wherein themanganese oxide is at least one of MnO, Mn₂ O₃ and MnO₂.
 16. The zincoxide ceramic according to claim 13, wherein the cobalt oxide is atleast one of CoO and Co₃ O₄.
 17. The zinc oxide ceramic according toclaim 13, wherein the amount of bismuth oxide is 0.3 to 18.0 parts byweight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Bi₂ O₃ conversion. 18.The zinc oxide ceramic according to claim 13, wherein the amount oftitanium oxide is 0.03 to 2.00 parts by weight for 100 parts by weightof zinc oxide by TiO₂ conversion.
 19. The zinc oxide ceramic accordingto claim 13, wherein the amount of antimony oxide is 0.005 to 1.000 partby weight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Sb₂ O₃ conversion.20. The zinc oxide ceramic according to claim 13, wherein the amount ofchromium oxide is 0.005 to 0.500 part by weight for 100 parts by weightof zinc oxide by Cr₂ O₃ conversion.
 21. The zinc oxide ceramic accordingto claim 13, wherein the amount of boron oxide is 0.002 to 1.000 part byweight for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by B₂ O₃ conversion. 22.The zinc oxide ceramic according to claim 13, wherein the boron oxide isB₂ O₃.
 23. The zinc oxide ceramic according to claim 13, wherein thefirst component comprises 0.00062 to 0.37200 part by weight of analuminum oxide for 100 parts by weight of zinc oxide by Al₂ O₃conversion.
 24. A zinc oxide varistor, comprising a zinc oxide ceramicaccording to claim 13 and an Ag electrode.